Derbyshire man Freddie Dempsey has been named Driver of the Year at trentbarton’s Really Good Service Awards in Nottingham.
The 42-year-old from Duffield, who drives services around Derby, Belper, Ripley and Bakewell, won an extra day off work each year and ÂŁ1000 to spend on a holiday.
Freddie, who has driven buses with the East Midlands operator for five years, beat off competition from winners of all the other drivers of the month to receive his award from The Chase’s Paul Sinha.
Of the accolade and his move into driving buses, the former factory worker, care assistance and lab technician says: “It’s great to win for doing something I enjoy. I’m a people person who likes driving a big bus and meeting customers and making them happy.
“I thought I’d try bus driving and found that it was amazing. I really took to it. And trentbarton is a really good company to work for.”
Also as part of the awards, which were sponsored by Gallaghers, husband and wife drivers Tracy and Peter Hayes won the Hero of the Year accolade. They were recognised for getting an elderly woman home in their own car after spotting her waiting for a bus they knew wouldn’t be arriving.
Colleague Choice was won by Andy Worthington, who drives on the Ilkeston routes.
The judges say: “Andy is quite the character around the depot and is constantly entertaining his colleagues with his classic tunes and dance moves. There’s always a positive vibe with Andy around so it’s no surprise his peers have rewarded him.”
Passengers voted in the Customer Choice award for Joanne Rich, who drives on skylink Nottingham.
Joanne says: “This is the award I have wanted to win for years. I’ll really enjoy telling my customers that their support meant I have won.”
Unsung Hero was won by Richard Sherratt, who was a scheduler for 32 years until retiring at the end of March.
Paul Harrison was named as Engineer of the Year. Meanwhile, Apprentice of the Year was Ben Selby.
The my15 route, which operates from Ilkeston to East Midlands Airport, was named Brand of the Year.
