Total of 58 nominations across 14 categories announced, with the ceremony taking place on May 4
The UK Coach Awards (UKCA) has announced the finalist for the 2017 competition.
The judges haven given praise to the 58 nominated people, projects and organisations for the high standards and hard work they have demonstrated.
There will be 14 categories covering a diverse mix of activities such as planning, promotion and the operation of coach services. The winners will be announced at the Annual Presentation Ceremony, held at the Mercure Piccadilly Hotel in Manchester on Thursday, May, 4.
Congratulating all the finalists, UK Coach Awards Chairman, John Gilbert, commented: “Our awards recognise and reward excellence and good practice at all levels in the industry, amongst all operators, large or small, and in all types of work from express through contracting to coach touring.
“I am delighted to say that this year’s list of finalists encompasses all these. Winning is about what you do and how you do it, not how big or small you are.”
John Gilbert was involved in the judging process. The panel consists of independent, highly experienced people with an intimate knowledge of coach relations.
John commented: “This was my first involvement in the judging process, and I was really struck by the hard work and commitment involved.
“We are most grateful to our panels. They really did face some difficult decisions in a very strong field.”
The finalists are as follows:
TECHNICAL AND PROFESSIONAL AWARDS
Coach Marketing Award
- Galloway Coach Travel and AKA: Working in Partnership;
- It’s Time To Enjoy…. With Shearings Holidays; and
- Express City Connect, Stagecoach East Scotland.
Coach Travel Programme
- Britain & Europe by Coach 2017, Crusader Holidays;
- 2017 Tour Programme, Eastons Holidays;
- Door to Door, Ellen Smith Tours;
- Great Britain and Europe 2016 by Coach, Air and Sea, Epsom Coaches;
- Quality Coach Holidays, Gardiners NMC; and
- 2016 Travel Programme, Shearings Holidays.
Innovation Award
- Fun in the Community, Carol Peters Travel;
- Driver Walk-around Check App, Distinctive Systems;
- ITrust Reviews, Epsom Coaches; and
- VUER infotainment, National Express.
Making Coaches a Better Choice
- Carnforth Station Heritage Centre;
- McArthurGlen Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet;
- Gloucester Green Travel Shop, Waiting Lounge and Driver Rest Area, Oxford Bus Company;
- Express City Connect, Stagecoach East Scotland; and
- South West Falcon, Stagecoach South West.
The ROSCO Award for Innovation in Road Safety
- Safety As Standard, Anthony’s Travel;
- Driver Walk-around Check App, Distinctive Systems; and
- DriveCam, National Express.
AWARDS FOR PEOPLE IN THE INDUSTRY
Customer Service Award
- Julie Herbert, Carol Peters Travel;
- Miriam Kent, Crosskeys Coaches;
- Fiona Bucksey, Hythe and Waterside Coaches; and
- Jacqueline Withey, Hythe and Waterside Coaches.
Top UK Coach Touring Driver
- Scott Law, Blacks of Brechin;
- Frank Turner, BusyBus;
- Andy Snow, Carol Peters Travel;
- Justin Roberts, Crosskeys Coaches;
- Brian Davis, Motts Travel / Crusader Holidays;
- Graham Hart, Mounts Bay Coaches;
- Adrian Waine, Pulham and Sons (Coaches); and
- Daryl Cooper, Shearings Holidays.
Top UK Express Driver
- Nicholas Mather, National Express;
- Gavin Francis, Oxford Tube;
- Peter Jones, Oxford Tube; and
- Richard Pimm, Oxford Tube.
Unsung Heroes Award
- Ben Ingram, R S Tyrers; and
- Joan Johnson, Johnsons Coaches
Young Coach Industry Professional
- Daniel Almond, R S Tyrers; and
- Richard Johnson, Whittles Coaches.
AWARDS FOR COACH OPERATION
Top Express Operation
- Express City Connect, Stagecoach East Scotland;
- Oxford Tube, Stagecoach in Oxfordshire; and
- Oxford Bus Company.
Top Large Fleet Operator
- National Express;
- Shearings Holidays;
- The Kings Ferry; and
- York Pullman Bus Company.
Top Medium Fleet Operator
- Crosskeys Coaches;
- Maynes Coaches;
- Motts Travel / Crusader Holidays;
- Reays Coaches; and
- Tyrers Coaches.
Top Small Fleet Operator
- Anthony’s Travel;
- BusyBus;
- Carol Peters Travel;
- AW Eastons Coaches; and
- Hythe and Waterside Coaches.
UK Coach Operator of the Year
The winner will be selected from the winners of the top small, top medium and top large fleet operator awards.
The Award for Services to the Coach Industry
There is no short-list for this award – the winner will be announced on Thursday, May 4.
