This award was presented to the coach driver who has best demonstrated excellent performance from the customer perspective in the 12 month period to the end of December 2008. To win the title of Coach Driver of the Year, nominees needed to go that extra mile to provide the customer’s ideal: a driver who is friendly, helpful, conscientious and mindful of passengers’ comfort and well-being – in short, a true professional and worthy ambassador for the job.

Nominations were sought from readers of Group Travel Organiser magazine for the coach drivers they considered worthy of the award, and some 66 individual nominations were received.

The Winner

• Cass Winston Douglas, CoachChoice, Wolverhampton

The Runner Up

• Tony Mears, Ruffles Coaches, Halstead, Essex

Highly Commended

• Craig Dakin, Ruffles Coaches, Halstead, Essex
• Mark Warren, Alan Dawney Coaches, Sheerness, Kent
• Nick Rollason, Hardings International, Redditch, Worcestershire
• Ray Maraschal, Banstead Coaches, Banstead, Surrey.

Who can be nominated?

Any licensed PCV driver in full-time employment, who has been in continuous employment on coach services for the 12 months ended 31 December 2008.

…and by whom?

Nominations were sought from readers of Group Travel Organiser magazine for the coach drivers whom they considered worthy of this award.

After nomination, UKCA organisers sought further information from employers and the consent of the driver concerned to their name being put forward for the award.

Criteria and Entry Requirements

As well as nomination by customers, entrants will be assessed on their technical and professional skill. Evidence of this will be required and could include:

• The nominee’s accident record
• Number and duration of safe driving awards won by the nominee
• Technical and professional skills, as evidenced by such items as internal driver assessment reports or marks achieved in a company, regional or national competition held at the coach rallies or other events.

In addition to the skills section, short-listed entrants for the Top UK Coach Driver award will be assessed on:

• Public Commendations
• Disciplinary record

In short, the winner of the Top UK Coach Driver prize represents the whole range of professional and customer care skills required for this important and highly demanding job.