Changes for industry award scheme include driver categories split
The categories for the 2017 UK Coach Awards have been announced, which includes changes for drivers.
The organisers have announced that the Top UK Coach Driver category has been split into three separate awards for separate types of work, which are top Express Driver, Education Driver and Touring Driver.
UKCA Chairman, Allan Edmondson, said: “This change is designed to acknowledge the varying skill sets required by the widely differing types of work undertaken by our coach companies. Driving express services and trying to keep time on Britain’s congested motorways is a very different task from driving students to and from college; while looking after tour and charter customers on an expensive holiday is different again.”
“We felt that it was important to recognise and reward excellence in all three disciplines,” he explained.
“The idea was enthusiastically backed by operators at this summer’s Stakeholder Meeting, so we took the decision to implement the idea for 2017.”
There will also be minor changes to other categories following the extensive consultations with stakeholders by survey, e-mail and meetings since the 2016 ceremony in April.
“The UKCA is the only national awards scheme dedicated solely to coach operators and their staff in all types of work. Our categories reflect the diverse skills required to deliver high quality coach operations, not only through smart liveries and good marketing, but also excellent customer service. The right people really do make a difference and we are highlighting this once more in the 2017 competition,” explained Allan.
“We’re offering prizes for excellence in coach operation, and for a wide cross-section of our people, including the three types of driver, engineers, young professionals, customer-facing staff and support personnel. Meanwhile a range of technical and professional awards aims to recognise and reward excellence in all the skills needed to deliver a successful and growing business.”
“Awards are about more than just winning a trophy,” commented Allan. “We’re seeking to highlight the skills, commitment and sheer hard work delivered every day by thousands of coach drivers, staff and managers. Everybody’s working to get people where they want to go and giving them a safe and pleasant journey on the way: we hope even more people will get on board with us in 2017,” Allan concluded.
The full 2017 categories are:
Awards for Coach Operation
- Top Small Fleet Operator (up to 20 vehicles)
- Top Medium Fleet Operator (21-100 vehicles)
- Top Large Fleet Operator (101 vehicles or more)
- UK Coach Operator of the Year (chosen from one of the winners above)
- Top Express Coach Operation
Technical & Professional Awards
- Best Coach Industry Brand
- Coach Industry Website of the Year
- Coach Marketing Award
- Coach Travel Programme
- Innovation Award
- Making Coaches a Better Choice
- ROSCO Award for Innovation in Road Safety
Awards for Industry People
- Top Express Driver
- Top Education Driver
- Top Touring Driver
- Young Coach Industry Professional
- Engineer of the Year
- Customer Service Award (team or individual)
- Support Staff Award (team or individual)
- Unsung Heroes Award
- Award for Services to the Coach Industry
Public nominations for the driver and operator awards close on Friday, December 9, 2016. Entries for all other awards close on Friday, January 27, 2017. Judging and mystery shopping will take place soon after, with a shortlist announcement in early March.
The awards ceremony will take place on Thursday, May 4, at the Mercure Piccadilly Hotel in Manchester.
INFO
Full details of all categories and entry criteria, along with entry forms, can be found on the website at www.ukcoachawards.co.uk.
