Stagecoach driver enroute to finals

News stories are free to read. Click here for full access to all the features, articles and archive from only £8.99.

John Noakes, who works for Stagecoach in Corby, has been awarded a place in the finals of the Bus Driver of the Year competition.

John, 48, who regularly drives route 3 service to Danesholme and Shire Road and the evening 66 service to Kettering Business Park, said: “It’s a big honour to represent the company, especially being the first time I went in for it.

“I am looking forward to it and win or lose, it will be a great occasion.”

As previously featured in CBW, entrants can only qualify if they have had a clean driving licence for at least one year. They also undergo a series of difficult driving manoeuvres at local company level, with the winner(s) going forward to the final, which takes place in Blackpool on September 10-11.

John Drew, manager at Corby depot, said: “He is one of our most likeable drivers and he takes his job very seriously. The awards recognise the best in the industry with quite generous prizes – it’s like the Oscars of the bus industry.”