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The winners of these awards deliver consistently excellent customer service. The operators demonstrate their success through sustained effort.

They have shown that they:

• are financially sound
• maintain high operational and engineering standards
• give priority to the Health and Safety of staff and passengers through comprehensive risk management
• invest in their fleet and staff
• form effective partnerships
• identify with and respond to the communities they serve
• always strive to sustain and grow the market for coaches and coach services.

As well as this award for the larger operators (with fleets of over 51 vehicles), there are two others for buisinesses with fleets of 15 vehicles or fewer and between 16 and 50 vehicles.

From the winners of these three awards, the judges chose an overall winner, named UK Coach Operator of the Year.

For each of the categories, customer nominations were sought from group organisers and other industry clients. Nominated operators are also  invited to submit further information to the judges.The judging process also includes 'mystery shopping' of the nominated operators to test their commitment to customer service.

Who could be nominated?

The awards are open to all operators of coaches for hire to the general public or used on tours and excurions.

... and by whom?

Group organisers and other clients who hire coaches on an occasional or regular basis were asked to nominate the coach company which has delivered the best service to their groups.

Winners: Maynes Coaches of Buckie

Maynes is a well-known name in the coach industry and the company has been trading since 1947. The need to adapt in an ever-changing market is well understood and there is constant investment in staff and vehicles.

Standards are high, amply demonstrated by the most recent, very successful Coach Marque inspection and, just as importantly, excellent customer feedback.

The judges were impressed by the high standards set by Maynes in all areas of its operations.

Runner Up: Belle Vue of Manchester

Established in 1996, Belle Vue has a fleet of 53 vehicles and employs a team of 74.

Customer-focused and quality driven, the company sets high standards for staff and vehicles. Belle Vue is quality certified to ISO9001 status and has experienced 50% growth in the past 15 months.

The judges were impressed by the company’s policy of personal development of staff at all levels and the highly personal service offered to clients.