Stagecoach Director Robert Andrew has been recognised with a lifetime achievement award at the virtual 2020 Scottish Transport Awards for his outstanding contribution to transport in Scotland.
The award recognises Robert’s 35 years spent in the bus industry, having joined Stagecoach Group in 1992 before becoming Managing Director of both Fife and Bluebird operations in 2000 and then Regional Director for Scotland in 2006. He returned to Scotland in 2016 after covering Stagecoach operations in both the North and the South of England.
Later, Robert jointly led Stagecoach’s UK Bus Division from 2017 to 2019, and returned to the role of an enhanced Scottish Regional Director, adding Megabus and the company’s Welsh operations in 2019.
His years of service make Robert Stagecoach’s longest serving Regional Director. Despite taking planned retirement in the summer, he agreed to work with Stagecoach on a part-time basis as Director for Scottish Citylink.
Says Robert: “I feel very privileged to have been presented with this award, which was a complete surprise. This is a great industry to work in and I’ve made many friends within Stagecoach and across the wider bus network.
“These are obviously different and challenging times for everyone but I’ve been proud to work for an industry that always pulls together and supports each other. This award is not only for me, but for all my colleagues and everybody who plays such a vital role in keeping Scotland’s transport network running.”
Adds Stagecoach Chief Executive Martin Griffiths: “We are all delighted with the news that Robert has received this special award, recognising the vast contribution he has made to Scottish transport. With 35 years’ experience in the industry, Robert has become a very popular and well-loved member of the Stagecoach team, but is also a highly respected transport professional with stakeholders in Scotland and across the rest of the country.
“We are pleased Robert is taking some well-deserved time to spend with his family but we are happy to still have the benefit of his valuable expertise in helping to lead the Citylink business. “
Stagecoach won two other awards at the ceremony; Stagecoach East Scotland was named Public Transport Operator of the Year for a second year running and Scottish Citylink won Best Bus Service for its 900 route between Glasgow and Edinburgh.
The Awards also commended Bus Station Controller for Stagecoach Highlands Stevie Ross.