New venue and category changes in respected awards’ 20th anniversary year
Marking its 20th anniversary, the 2015 UK Bus Awards is now open – with a number of exciting changes for this year’s competition. Entries are invited to compete for 20 awards covering the full range of skills required to plan, promote and deliver high quality bus services to customers.
Tony Depledge, UK Bus Awards Chairman, said: “We are really excited to be entering the 20th year for the awards. Over the years since 1996, we have seen real advances in all sorts of ways – technology, marketing, staff recruitment and training and overall standards of operation. There is still a huge amount to do, but real progress has been made and we like to think that the incentives provided by our awards have made a real difference.
“Judging the entries has become steadily more difficult over the years as the quality has risen, but that’s a challenge we all relish because it is so encouraging. All judges – over 40 independent experts in all – really enjoy reading about all the hard work and commitment that goes into our industry, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.”
The 2015 competition will see a few changes. The criteria for the Putting Passengers First Award have been amended following consultation with judges and stakeholders, and the award for Top Express Operation has been transferred to the UK Coach Awards.
“As always, we consult widely on the scheme and its contents during the ‘close season’ and we’ve made these changes in response to suggestions from our stakeholders and sponsors,” explained Tony.
“We greatly welcome the feedback and advice we get every year, because the Management Committee is very keen to improve what we do for the industry we serve.”
The other big change will happen on Tuesday, November 24 November, when the Presentation Ceremony moves to an exciting new London venue – The Ballroom South Bank.
Tony added: “We needed a bigger venue to be able to promote the awards more widely, and we’ll be looking forward to welcoming even more colleagues and friends to our 20th Presentation Ceremony.”
Nomination forms can be obtained at www.ukbusawards.co.uk, where details of categories and criteria will also be found. The closing date is Friday, June 12.
Judging will take place in July and August, with the shortlist being announced during the second week in October.
