The National Final of the annual Bus Driver of the Year (BDoY) competition will take place a fortnight later in 2025, its organisers have announced, avoiding a clash with the switch-on of Blackpool’s illuminations, and a new director appointed. The organisers say that although preparations for next year’s competition won’t start until January, the date for the National Final has been confirmed, and the 57th National Final moves by a fortnight to 14 September 2025.
As usual the competition will be held on Blackpool seafront and once again headquartered at the Imperial Hotel. The organisers, The UK Bus Driver of the Year Association, say they hope to maintain the strong level of entries evident since the resumption of the competition in 2022 following the hiatus resulting from the Covid pandemic, and the competition is aiming to encourage even more support from independent operators for 2025.
Meanwhile BDoY continues to strengthen its organising body, the Council, with the appointment of driver training expert Graeme Healy. Replacing John Jardine, Graeme is a Dedicated Driving Examiner with Lothian Buses. Along with former Traffic Commissioner for the North West of England, Gerallt Evans, who was appointed earlier this year, he joins the 11-strong Council.
