routeone Awards 2022: The winners showcased

The routeone Awards made a triumphant return on Wednesday 2 November at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole, with a sell-out audience of 820 guests on hand for presentation of trophies to the winners.

Co-hosted by actress, comedian and producer Sally Phillips and routeone Editor Tim Deakin, the Awards presentation evening immediately generated positive feedback as the coach and bus industry came back together for the first time in three years. 

A wide variety of operators and people from across the sector were represented among the winners. The evening was completed with a standing ovation for Special Award recipient Peter Newman, Chairman and founder of Ensignbus Company. Mr Newman was recognised by the judges for his contribution made during more than six decades in the industry. 

The routeone Awards will return on 8 November 2023. The full list of 2022 winners is as follows, and a gallery featuring each winner individually is presented subsequently:

Above and Beyond, partnered by DriveTech: Jointly between Candice Mason, Masons Minibus and Coach Hire, and Kevin Mayne, Maynes Coaches. 

Manager of the Year, Small/Medium Operator (up to 150 vehicles), partnered by EPM Bus Solutions and Omnibus Solutions: Candice Mason, Masons Minibus and Coach Hire. 

Manager of the Year, Large Operator (over 150 vehicles), partnered by Freeway Fleet Systems: Marc Reddy, First Hampshire, Dorset and Berkshire; Highly Commended: Adam Keen, Adventure Travel. 

Outstanding Customer Experience, partnered by Arthur Spriggs BusWorld: Oxford Bus Company.

Engineer of the Year, Small/Medium Operator (up to 150 vehicles), partnered by Pelican Bus and Coach: Ian Scott, Stanley Travel; Highly Commended: Scott Johnson, Johnson Bros Tours and Redfern Travel. 

Engineer of the Year, Large Operator (over 150 vehicles), partnered by Knorr-Bremse: Simon Carlisle, First West Yorkshire. 

Best Use of Technology (up to 150 vehicles), partnered by Siemens Financial Services: Stagecoach East – The Busway. 

Best Use of Technology (over 150 vehicles), partnered by Alfatronix: National Express UK Coach. 

Environment Award, partnered by Switch Mobility: Newport Transport.

Rising Star, partnered by PPG: Hayley Russell, FlixBus. 

Small Coach Operator of the Year (up to 15 coaches), partnered by MAN Truck and Bus UK: Anthony’s Travel. 

Medium Coach Operator of the Year (16-50 coaches), partnered by Mercedes-Benz Buses and Coaches: Maynes Coaches.

Small/Medium Bus Operator of the Year (up to 150 buses), partnered by Ticketer: Uno Buses. 

Large Coach Operator of the Year (over 50 coaches), partnered by Volvo Bus: York Pullman. 

Large Bus Operator of the Year (over 150 buses), partnered by Ticketer: Brighton & Hove and Metrobus. 

Special Award, partnered by ESP Utilities Group: Peter Newman, Ensignbus.

Click on any of the following images to enlarge, or to scroll through the gallery:

Seven former industry professionals made up the judging panel to decide the winners of the 2022 routeone Awards: Joan Aitken OBE, Richard Delahoy, Steve Dewhurst, Mark Fowles OBE, Kevin Middleton, Peter Nash and Norman Thomas.

Following conclusion of this year’s event, Mr Dewhurst and Mr Nash have stepped down from the panel. routeone and Diversified Communications thank them both for their many years of service and effort.