Newly crowned, Top National Bus Driver Aaron Johnson, fought off competition from tens of thousands of bus drivers nationwide. The award, sponsored by Volvo, recognises outstanding achievements in delivering exceptional customer service, always going above and beyond to exceed passengers’ expectations, as well as driving safely and considerately.
Aaron Johnson Top National Driver
Aaron was commended for showing compassion and truly taking care of his customers; as well as always being there to help especially with young and vulnerable passengers. Aaron is so committed to getting his customers where they need to be, he has only had one sick day in 20 years of service. His driving skills mirror his exceptional customer service, he hasn’t had one blameworthy accident since he started in 1997.
The judges described Aaron as outstanding, citing his excellent customer care, impeccable time keeping, flexibility and years of safe driving. ‘A brilliant demonstration of a driver that goes above and beyond’.
The organisation also took gold in the highly coveted Top City Operator category sponsored by Init. It recognises companies that provide an outstanding service, embrace technologies and are truly committed to their customers and employees.
Graham Smith Olga Kens and Chairman Cllr Brian Parbutt with City Operator Award
The company scored top marks in mystery travelling tests, and achieved the second highest scores in the UK’s independent Transport Focus customer satisfaction survey. The team works hard to create a travel experience that is accessible to all, providing larger bays on all buses for pushchairs and wheelchairs, as well as next stop visual announcements on every bus - with 90% of these offering audio announcements too.
The team’s gold win in the Environment Award was down to its steadfast commitment to transforming its fleet. Nottingham City Transport is home to the world's largest number of biogas double deckers, the greenest buses on the road. They use fuel produced from waste through anaerobic digestion. These buses prevent harmful pollutants being emitted into the atmosphere from landfill and have an almost well-to-wheel carbon neutral footprint. By fuelling buses with bio-gas it helps reduce the amount of food, farm and sewage waste going to landfill or not being reused.
Gary Mason Engineering Director with Environment Award
The company invested £16.4m in 53 brand new biogas buses and the installation of a biogas fuelling station. Nottingham City Transport has embraced, and is making a significant contribution towards, Nottingham's aim to be the UK's greenest city.
The company was also awarded silver in the ‘best in show’ - UK Bus Operator of the Year, they were just held off the top spot by Go South Coast based in Dorset.
Mark Yexley, Chairman of the UK Bus Awards, said: “
“A massive congratulations to Nottingham City Transport, what an amazing achievement to take home three gold awards and a silver. The progress they’re making in helping Nottingham achieve its clean air targets is highly commendable. Johnson’s win is extremely well-deserved. He is a great example of how making all passengers feel included and valued can help promote social inclusion. The way he supports and treats his customers makes him a true hero within the community. The whole of Nottingham should be very proud.”
Mark Yexley, Chairman of the UK Bus AwardsGraham Smith, Nottingham City Transport’s Engineering Manager also received a special commendation in the Engineer of the Year category.
Anthony Carver-Smith, NCT Marketing Manager added:
“Wow. We are exceptionally delighted to be coming home from the UK Bus Awards with three gold awards, a silver award and a special commendation. Being recognised as City Operator of the Year again is fantastic and this is great recognition of the hard work and dedication by everyone at NCT in providing Nottingham with a high quality bus service”
He continued, "Recognition for our investment in green buses, with Nottingham having the largest bio-gas double deck fleet in the world, is fantastic and just the beginning of our commitment to significantly reduce emissions from our fleet. We are immensely proud of Aaron winning Top National Bus Driver. He is an excellent driver, dedicated to his customers on Purple Line 89 and always goes above and beyond to provide a high quality service.”
