Can Arriva UK Bus MD Paul O’Neil right a wrong? That is the question after last weekend’s Bus Driver of the Year (BDoY) finals. Arriva drivers were noticeably absent. That breaks a long-standing commitment to recognise and reward its best drivers, while giving others something to aspire to.
The organisers’ website sets out the many benefits of why BDoY is good for operators by raising driver standards.
I understand that Arriva’s decision not to enter was made by former MD Kevin O’Connor, who left Arriva – and the industry – last year. With Arriva being for sale by its owner Deutsche Bahn (DB), it may be that Mr O’Connor saw a way to cut a modest cost.
But that would be a foolish short-term saving which, as other operators discovered some years ago, is a false economy.
In an article, Mr O’Neil said that it is “business as usual” for Arriva. He added that one of his early resolutions was to visit every depot in the UK. At those that he had already called at, he spoke of staff who care about what they are doing.
Now is the time for Mr O’Neill to redress the balance and return Arriva to the BDoY finals in 2020.
Artur Gergely
Leeds
