First Bus enjoyed a successful afternoon Nov. 18 winning three prizes at the UK Bus Awards, the industry’s equivalent of the Oscars.
First Games Transport and First Glasgow collected a special award in recognition of the bus and coach services they provided during the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games. First Rail Support which specialises in rail replacement services, also picked up a special award for ‘overcoming adversity during rail disruption’. Completing a hat-trick of victories was a joint entry from First's Engineering, Environment and Procurement teams collecting the ‘Environment’ award in recognition of the company's industry leading work with manufacturers and suppliers improving the fuel efficiency of vehicles.
First also collected one ‘silver’, three ‘bronze’ prizes and a ‘special commendation.’
Giles Fearnley, managing director of First Bus said, “All our industry award wins this year (a total of 15) really do reflect just how hard everyone in First Bus is working to improve our business and deliver our Better Journeys for Life promise.
He continued, “It’s especially pleasing to have picked up two ‘Special’ prizes at the UK Bus Awards. The teams at First Glasgow and First Games Transport worked incredibly hard during the Commonwealth Games and certainly deserve such positive recognition for their fantastic efforts. Meanwhile First Rail Support received a Special award for its rail replacement services which helped keep the South West moving during the terrible floods earlier this year. The First Rail Support team was very much one of the unsung heroes at the time and so I’m delighted that their efforts have been recognised.”
Award Wins:
- Special Award for First Glasgow and First Games Transport for bus and coach provision during Commonwealth Games
- Special Award for First Rail Support for overcoming adversity during rail disruption in severe weather
- Environment: Carbon Smart Project (First Bus)
Silver Prizes:
- Marketing Initiative of the Year: ‘Fairer Fares’ campaign (Bristol)
Bronze Prizes:
- Innovation: Better Journey Card (First Bus)
- Top National Bus Driver: Claire Akehurst (Oldham)
- Engineer of the Year: Stuart Drummond (West Yorkshire)
The 19th UK Bus Awards took place at the London Hilton Hotel in Park Lane on Nov. 18.
