Weston First Bus driver named second-best in the UK

Stuart was announced as the second-highest-placed FirstGroup competitor at the National Final Results in Blackpool on Sunday, September 1 - scooping a £500 prize.

He also took sixth place in the national competition for Bus Driver Of The Year.

First Bus' best driver was named as Clive Sutton from First North and West Yorkshire, who took home a £1,000 cheque.

Doug Claringbold, Managing Director for First Cymru and First West of England, said: “Congratulations to all those who took part in the competition at the weekend, and in particular to Daryl Jones for being named Wales’ best driver, and to Stuart for grabbing sixth place overall and being named the second best bus driver in the whole of First Bus. Both have achieved excellent results which they should be very proud of.

“But it isn’t just about these two colleagues; we had a host of other local drivers from Bristol, Bath, Wales, Worcester and the rest of the West of England also competing, who were all put through their paces against 100 other top drivers across the country. Getting the chance to compete in such a prestigious competition in the bus industry is a great honour for those taking part.”

This was the 56th UK Bus Driver of the Year awards, which are annually held in Blackpool, where competitors are put through their paces in a competition on the seafront that sees them compete for the sought-after Driver of the Year top prize. 

On competition day, those taking part are tasked with working for a fictitious bus company, and are all expected to adhere to the company’s code of conduct, including rules on dress code, drink and drugs policies and its general driving style.

The day simulates the driver’s normal day, with each driver receiving their own personal timetable, and for up to four hours, the Bus Driver of the Year awards operates the most intensive bus service in the UK, with competitors leaving every two minutes on the three-mile course where they are judged for about 20 minutes.