The UK’s top coach and bus operators were revealed last night (2 November) at the routeone Awards 2022.
Held at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole, following the second day of the Euro Bus Expo trade show, the Awards – now in their sixteenth year – welcomed over 800 guests to recognise the achievements of operators and individuals working within the coach and bus industry.
Stagecoach East, National Express UK Coach, Newport Transport, Anthony’s Travel, Maynes Coaches, Uno Buses, York Pullman, Brighton & Hove and Metrobus, and Oxford Bus Company – The Airline were among the winning operators at this year’s event. Individuals from Masons Minibus and Coach Hire, Maynes Coaches, First Hampshire, Dorset and Berkshire, Stanley Travel, First West Yorkshire and FlixBus took home prizes in the ‘people’ categories.
Peter Newman, Chairman of Ensignbus Company, a bus and coach operator and bus dealer based in Purfleet, Essex, received this year’s Special Award – the only category nominated directly by the judges.
Individuals from Adventure Travel, and Johnson Bros Tours / Redfern Travel also came highly commended.
The black-tie celebration began with entertainment from multi-award-winning British actress, comedian, and producer, Sally Phillips, known for her work in the comedy television series I’m Alan Partridge, Jam and Jerusalem, Miranda, Taskmaster and Veep. Sally was then joined by co-host Tim Deakin, Editor of routeone, to present the Awards to the 2022 winners.
“The routeone Awards has once again lived up to its reputation as the bus and coach industry’s premier recognition showcase,” says Helen Conway, Event Director at Diversified Communications (organiser of the routeone Awards and Euro Bus Expo).
“Once again, the quality of this year’s Awards finalists was remarkable. Standing out from the crowd is no mean feat in such an innovative, creative and committed industry, but our 2022 winners do just that.
“After a three-year hiatus, it was fantastic to see the industry back together – and in full force – to celebrate excellent operation and exemplary industry professionals. A huge congratulations to all our winners, highly commended and finalists.”
The 2022 routeone Awards winners are:
Above & Beyond (new for 2022)
Partnered by DriveTech
The industry member who have gone above and beyond in working to support, promote and advocate the sector through the difficult period since March 2020:
Joint winners:
∗ Candice Mason, Masons Minibus and Coach Hire
∗ Kevin Mayne, Maynes Coaches
Manager of the Year, Small/Medium Operator (up to 150 vehicles)
Partnered by EPM Bus Solutions & Omnibus Solutions
The manager who has shown commitment, enthusiasm, an excellent ability to motivate, and that has made a personal contribution to the business:
∗ Candice Mason, Masons Minibus and Coach Hire
Manager of the Year, Large Operator (over 150 vehicles)
Partnered by Freeway Fleet Systems
The manager who has shown commitment, enthusiasm, an excellent ability to motivate, and that has made a personal contribution to the business:
∗ Marc Reddy, First Hampshire, Dorset and Berkshire
∗ Highly Commended: Adam Keen, Adventure Travel
Outstanding Customer Experience (new for 2022)
Partnered by Arthur Spriggs BusWorld Tewkesbury
The company that demonstrates an unwavering commitment to its customers:
∗ Oxford Bus Company – The Airline
Engineer of the Year, Small/Medium Operator (up to 150 vehicles)
Partnered by Pelican Bus and Coach
The skilled engineer that can manage complex tasks and processes, meet targets and communicate effectively:
∗ Ian Scott, Stanley Travel
∗ Highly Commended: Scott Johnson, Johnson Bros Tours / Redfern Travel
Engineer of the Year, Large Operator (over 150 vehicles)
Partnered by Knorr-Bremse
The skilled engineer that can manage complex tasks and processes, meet targets and communicate effectively:
∗ Simon Carlisle, First West Yorkshire
Best Use of Technology (up to 150 vehicles)
Partnered by Siemens Financial Services
The operator that has achieved high-level success and delivered significant benefits for the business and its customers through the introduction of the latest technology:
∗ Stagecoach East – The Busway
Best Use of Technology (over 150 vehicles)
Partnered by Alfatronix
The operator that has achieved high-level success and delivered significant benefits for the business and its customers through the introduction of the latest technology:
∗ National Express UK Coach
Environment Award
Partnered by Switch Mobility
The operator with an exceptional commitment to a green agenda:
∗ Newport Transport
Rising Star
Partnered by PPG
The manager that is showing great potential:
∗ Hayley Russell, FlixBus
Small Coach Operator of the Year (up to 15 coaches)
Partnered by MAN Truck & Bus UK
The coach operator that demonstrates a commitment to quality, innovation and customer service:
∗ Anthony’s Travel
Medium Coach Operator of the Year (16-50 coaches)
Partnered by Mercedes-Benz Buses & Coaches
The coach operator that demonstrates a commitment to quality, innovation and customer service:
∗ Maynes Coaches
Small/Medium Bus Operator of the Year (up to 150 buses)
Partnered by Ticketer
The operator that shows exceptional performance and exemplary service in every respect:
∗ Uno Buses
Large Coach Operator of the Year (over 50 coaches)
Partnered by Volvo Bus
The coach operator that demonstrates a commitment to quality, innovation and customer service:
∗ York Pullman
Large Bus Operator of the Year (over 150 buses)
Partnered by Ticketer
The operator that shows exceptional performance and exemplary service in every respect:
∗ Brighton & Hove and Metrobus
Special Award
Partnered by ESP Utilities Group
The individual that has made a significant contribution to the industry:
∗ Peter Newman – Ensignbus Company
