The organisers of the Bus Driver of the Year (BDoY) competition have announced with much regret the cancellation of the event for the second year in succession. The Covid-19 pandemic meant the 2020 National Final could not go ahead and the organisers said that ongoing uncertainty regarding social distancing together with the challenges faced by the industry has resulted in the 2021 event, scheduled for 6 September also being cancelled.
A date has, however, been announced for the 2022 event. At a recent Zoom meeting the BDoY Council confirmed 11 September 2022 as the date for the next National Final, which will be based at the Imperial Hotel, Blackpool.
BDoY Chairman Joe Mackie said: “Although we planned to hold the event in 2021, the devastating consequences of the pandemic have combined to present too much uncertainty for an event that not only attracts 500 people to a dinner and results presentation but requires regional heats to be held at a time when operators are battling to come to terms with unpredictable staff absences, changing travel patterns and the National Bus Strategy.
“Bus companies need all their management energies and cash reserves to rebuild healthy businesses. If we were to promote an event this autumn it would inevitably be a shadow of its former self. It is far better to aim for a strong professional relaunch in 2022.
“Bus Driver of the Year has the support of all the major bus groups, and as the industry’s premier road safety and skills competition, the National Final is the ideal opportunity for operators to present their best drivers to the public and to afford them the chance to win valuable prizes and claim the accolade of ‘UK Bus Driver of the Year.’”
Anyone requiring further information can contact BDoY Operations Director/Vice Chairman Keith Fieldhouse on [email protected]
