A change to 100% online nomination and entry has resulted in a significant uplift in volume and quality. We name the finalists in this year’s routeone Awards
Already acclaimed as the most prestigious event in the coach and bus industry calendar, the routeone Awards goes from strength to strength as it enters its 13th year.
Although the event has consistently attracted high-quality entries with widespread participation leading to a sold-out gala presentation evening, this year there are clear indications that the bar has been raised still further. Not only are nominations significantly up on previous years, but the introduction of a 100% online process has had a positive effect on the standard of information supplied, giving the judging panel an even more challenging task.
The search for excellence started earlier in the year when manufacturers, dealers and suppliers were invited to name who they regard as potential winners. This ensured a broad base of nominations from which to identify the finalists. That part of the process was completed by the end of April.
To help the judges, an entry form was then sent to all who were nominated and these entries were then used to establish the shortlists in 11 ‘operator of the year’ categories – Training, Environment, Technology (up to 200 vehicles), Technology (over 200 vehicles), Minibus, Small Coach, Medium Coach, Large Coach, Small Bus, Medium Bus, and Large Bus.
In addition, provisional shortlists for the four ‘people’ categories – Manager (small and medium fleets), Manager (large fleets), Engineer (small and medium fleets), and Engineer (large fleets) – has been confirmed, though these are dependent on attendance at planned interviews to be held next month.
In the case of the Special Award, there is no shortlist; only a winner who will be announced at the climax of the gala presentation evening on 4 October.
Shortlisting is a critical point in the supremely important process of finding the winners. Out of necessity it is demanding, ensuring that entry information is comprehensive, the judging meticulous, and the results credible.
Judging
The five-man judging panel is chaired by former routeone Editor Mike Morgan and includes Steve Dewhurst, Chris Heaps, Tony Kennan, Peter Nash, and Kevin Wood.
Mike Morgan steered routeone from its launch in 2003 to its market-leading position when he stepped down in 2014.
Steve Dewhurst was Managing Director of Volvo Bus for eight years until he retired in 2013. This is his third year as a judge.
Chris Heaps is a long-standing routeone Awards judge. From 1997 to 2000 he was the Traffic Commissioner for the Western Traffic Area, moving to the South Eastern & Metropolitan Traffic Area between 2000 and 2007.
Tony Kennan continues as a judge for a sixth year. He was one of the founding directors of The Proudmutual Transport Group, which was established on 6 March 1987 with a view to acquiring parts of the privatised National Bus Company.
Peter Nash is also now in his sixth year as a judge. Formerly Commercial Director of Busways Travel Services Ltd, sold to Stagecoach in 1994, in 1999 he became Head of Commercial Policy for Stagecoach UK Bus.
Kevin Wood spent his working life in coach sales, spending the last 27 years with Plaxton at Scarborough. He was a member of the management buyout team that saved Plaxton in the wake of parent company Mayflower going into administration in 2004. Plaxton was subsequently sold to Alexander Dennis (ADL) and Kevin became Sales Director until taking partial retirement in 2015. This is his second year as a routeone Awards judge.
The results
This announcement of the shortlists is the latest step along the road to our celebration of excellence when the winners are revealed at our eagerly awaited gala presentation evening on 4 October at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole.
The event is timed to coincide with this year’s coach and bus industry trade show, Coach & Bus UK, and, maintaining the high standard of previous routeone Awards evenings, it will be hosted by a high-profile media personality and an internationally-famous entertainer.
The next stage is already underway. The judges have invited to all those nominated in the ‘people’ categories to an interview. They have also written to all the finalists and asked specific questions designed to elicit answers that will enable a clear distinction to be made as to who is the best – i.e. help them determine the winners.
The results will follow this final round of judging and will be kept a closely-guarded secret until 4 October when they will be announced before another sold-out audience of industry guests.
routeone comment
The routeone Awards are for those who have been judged as the best in the industry. But it is equally an opportunity for everyone in the coach and bus industry to celebrate its successes. That’s why our presentation evening is such a high-profile event with a reputation for first-class entertainment, including highly-acclaimed comedian Marcus Brigstocke (2016), impressionist Jon Culshaw (2015), and one-liner Tim Vine (2014): The routeone Awards 2017 will not disappoint. Book now by contacting Operations Manager Helen Trott on 01273 645122 or email htrott@divcom.co.uk.
The Finalists
Operator Training Award
- Go North East
- Go South Coast
- National Express Coach and Bus
- Plymouth CityBus
- Reading Buses
- Skills Motor Coaches
- Stagecoach Group
Manager of the Year – small/medium operator (up to 200 vehicles)
Decision deferred pending interview
Manager of the Year – large operator (over 200 vehicles)
Decision deferred pending interview
Engineer of the Year – small/medium operator (up to 200 vehicles)
Decision deferred pending interview
Engineer of the Year – large operator (over 200 vehicles)
Decision deferred pending interview
Best Use of Technology (over 200 vehicles)
- ArrivaClick
- Go North East
- National Express Vuer
- Reading Buses
- Transdev Blazefield
Best Use of Technology (up to 200 vehicles)
- Anthony’s Travel
- Horseman Coaches
- The Kings Ferry
Environment Award
- First Bus
- Go Ahead London
- National Express UK Bus
- Reading Buses
Excellence in Minibus Operation
- BusyBus
- Homeward Bound
- Passenger Plus
- SHM Travel
- Whites St Albans
Small Coach Operator of the Year (1-15 vehicles)
- Anthony’s Travel
- AW Easton
- Bayliss Executive Travel
- Henshaw’s Executive Travel
- Premier Coaches Kintore
Small Bus Operator of the Year (1-100 vehicles)
- Central Buses
- Ensignbus
- HinckleyBus
- LibertyBus
- The Blackburn Bus Company
- The Harrogate Bus Company
Medium Coach Operator of the Year (16-50 vehicles)
- Acklams Coaches
- Bibby’s of Ingleton
- E Stott & Sons Ltd
- Golden Boy
- Maynes Coaches
- Pulham’s
- Taf Valley Coaches
- Williams Coaches of Brecon
Medium Bus Operator of the Year (100-200 vehicles)
- Blackpool Transport
- Epsom Coaches Group
- Plymouth Citybus
- Reading Buses
Large Coach Operator of the Year (over 50 vehicles)
- Edwards Coaches
- Horseman Coaches
- Lucketts Travel
- The Kings Ferry
- York Pullman
Large Bus Operator of the Year (over 200 vehicles)
- Arriva Midlands (West)
- EYMS
- First Hampshire, Dorset, and Berkshire
- Go South Coast
- National Express West Midlands
Special Award
Decision deferred pending further information
