Fond Final Farewell for Master Driver Bralee on National Express Coventry’s 10 Service

A Coventry bus driver who passed away has had his final wish granted by family, friends and colleagues who arranged for one last trip on his National Express Coventry bus.

Glyn Bralee joined the bus company in March 2009 and regularly drove the number 10 between Eastern Green, Whoberley, Coventry city center and Bell Green.

Sadly, Bralee was diagnosed with small-cell lung cancer and passed away exactly one month before his 59th birthday. 

A few days before his condition began to deteriorate, Bralee made one of his closest colleagues make him a promise that he would definitely keep. Bralee wanted his final trip to be made on his number 10 bus.

National Express Coventry driver Paul Fox was a close friend of Bralee’s. Although he was incredibly sad when Bralee passed away, he found comfort in being able to honour his wish.

Fox arranged for driver Glyn Bralee’s family to visit the garage in Coventry. When they arrived, they saw that National Express bus fleet number 4884 had been fitted with name plaques in dedication to the much-loved colleague and friend.

Fox then took Bralee’s ashes on his specially named bus on one last full journey of his regular 10 route.

Sam Houlders, operations manager at National Express Coventry, said: “We were all extremely sad when our friend and colleague driver Bralee passed away. Bralee had been with us for almost 10 years and was very well thought of by staff and customers alike. As a Master Driver he was one of our best.

“It felt only right that we should dedicate one of our National Express Coventry buses to him and we were both honored and pleased that we were able to grant his wish by making sure we gave him the final fond farewell that he’d asked for."