The UK’s premier rewards programme for the coach and bus industry recognises excellence with the announcement of the 2024 finalists.
Two prominent Nottingham transport companies and a Coalville-based operator have been named finalists in the esteemed 2024 routeone Awards, the UK’s premier recognition program for excellence in the coach and bus industry.
Nottingham City Transport has been shortlisted for the Large Bus Operator of the Year award, a category recognizing outstanding performance by operators with over 150 buses. The company, known for its reliable service and commitment to innovation, has demonstrated why it is a leader in the region.
Skills Motor Coaches, another Nottingham-based operator, is a finalist in the Large Coach Operator of the Year category, which celebrates excellence among operators with over 40 coaches. Additionally, the company’s sister brand, Skills Holidays, has been nominated for the Coach Tourism Programme of the Year award, highlighting its exceptional tour offerings and customer satisfaction.
From nearby Coalville, Roberts Travel Group has secured multiple nominations. The company is in the running for Medium Coach Operator of the Year, and its innovative use of technology has also earned it a finalist spot in the Best Use of Technology - Coach Operator category. Mark Tomlinson, the company’s Senior Engineering Technician, has been recognized in the Engineer of the Year (small/medium operator) category, underscoring the expertise and dedication within the team.
The routeone Awards have celebrated excellence in the coach and bus industry since 2005. This year’s finalists were selected from a highly competitive field, with nominations submitted by industry peers and their entries evaluated by a panel of respected experts. The winners will be announced at a presentation evening on 13 November 2024 at the Vox, Resorts World in Birmingham, where over 800 industry professionals will gather to honor the industry’s top achievers.
This recognition is a testament to the hard work and innovation of the local operators who continue to set high standards in the UK’s transport sector.
Helen Conway, Event Director, comments: “The routeone Awards stand as a beacon of recognition in the coach and bus industry. Each year, the calibre of entries surpasses expectations, reflecting the dynamic nature of the industry. The finalists announced today represent the very best, and it is an honour to recognise their achievements.”
2024 Finalists
Rising Star
Partnered by PPG
- Anna Courtier, First Bus North & West Yorkshire
- Hayden Mustafa, Stagecoach East
- Jodie Sweeney, First Bus East of England
- Mel McDougall, Stagecoach South
- Reece Backman, Ensignbus
- Rebecca Mayne, Maynes Coaches
- Steven Parker, Vectare
- Tom Berry, Mobico Group
Manager of the Year, small/medium operator (up to 150 vehicles)
Partnered by: IntSol Recruitment
- Danny Henshaw, Henshaw’s Executive Travel
- Ella Spencer, Greys
- Kevin Hart, LibertyBus
- Martin Marsh, Stagecoach East, Bedford Depot
- Nathan Hadley, Prospect Coaches
Manager of the Year, large operator (over 150 vehicles)
Partnered by: Freeway Fleet Systems
- Charlton Thornhill, Stagecoach East
- Gemma Redson, Reading Buses
- Jonathon Hunt, First Bus East of England
- Leanne Irving, Go North East
- Richard Thomas, Edwards Coaches
Outstanding Customer Experience
Partnered by: Arthur Spriggs Busworld Tewkesbury
- A & P Travel (Tours)
- Edwards Coaches
- Green Destinations
- LibertyBus
- Maynes Coaches
- Metroline Driver: Mirela Mandzhukova
Engineer of the Year, small/medium operator (up to 150 vehicles)
Partnered by: Pelican Bus and Coach
- Derek Catchpole, Passenger Plus
- John Williams , Williams Coaches
- Mark Tomlinson, Roberts Travel Group
- Peter Collins, Stagecoach East, Peterborough Depot
- Stewart Fletcher, Dartline Coaches
Engineer of the Year, large operator (over 150 vehicles)
Partnered by: Knorr-Bremse Systems for Commercial Vehicles
- Barry Radcliffe, First Bus East of England
- Jack Abbott, Stagecoach Yorkshire
- Peter Manning, First Bus
- Philip Cummins, Arriva UK Bus
- Tom Ranson, Reading Buses
Coach Tourism Programme of the Year
Partnered by: Bonded Coach Holidays
- Acklams Coaches
- Bakers Dolphin
- Edwards Coaches
- Masons Minibus & Coach Hire
- Motts Leisure & Crusader Holidays
- Parrys International
- Skills Holidays
- Tally Ho Coaches
Best Use of Technology – Coach Operator
Partnered by: JMW Solicitors LLP
- Maynes Coaches
- OMC Global
- Roberts Travel Group
Best Use of Technology – Bus Operator
Partnered by: Backhouse Jones
- Blackpool Transport Services
- Buses.gg
- National Express
- Somerset Passenger Solutions
Environment Award
Partnered by: Zenobe
- First Bus North & West Yorkshire
- Newport Transport – FlixBus
- Stagecoach East
- Stagecoach London
- Stagecoach South Wales
- Transdev Blazefield
Small Coach Operator of the Year (up to 15 coaches)
Partnered by: MAN Truck and Bus UK
- A & P Travel (Tours)
- Heathside Travel
- Henshaw’s Executive Travel
- Masons Minibus & Coach Hire
- Parrys International
- Woods Travel of Bognor Regis
Medium Coach Operator of the Year (16 – 40 coaches)
Partnered by: Daimler Buses UK
- Bennetts Coaches
- Roberts Travel Group
- Wheelers Travel
- Whites St Albans
Small/Medium Bus Operator of the Year (up to 150 buses)
Partnered by: Asset Alliance Group
- DRM Bus
- Diamond Bus North West
- Grant Palmer
- LibertyBus
- Stagecoach East, Peterborough Depot
Large Coach Operator of the Year (over 40 coaches)
Partnered by: Volvo Bus UK & Ireland
- Alfa Coaches
- Bakers Dolphin
- Edwards Coaches
- Skills Motor Coaches
Large Bus Operator of the Year (over 150 buses)
Partnered by: C9 Recruitment
- Arriva Merseyside
- Brighton & Hove Buses and Metrobus
- Go-Ahead London
- Go South Coast
- Nottingham City Transport
- Reading Buses
- Stagecoach East
Special Award
Partnered by: Ticketer
In addition to the 15 competitive categories, the event will also feature a 16th category: the Special Award, partnered by Ticketer. This unique accolade is determined solely by the judges and will be awarded to an individual who has made an exceptional contribution to the industry, deserving of special recognition.”