This is the Award for the operation of high quality express coach services.

Scheduled express coach services are an integral part of our transport system, alongside local bus services and the rail network. Services to airports, tourist attractions and for less-affluent people, including students, for example, can act to improve sustainable accessibility and reduce car travel in the same way as other forms of public transport.

The growth of competition in the market, together with the continued development of brands such as Green Line, Scottish Citylink, Megabus and National Express, shows that the express service sector is dynamic and plays an important part. The award is open to operators of services on their own account or who contract to others (e.g. National Express or Scottish Citylink).

The winner of this award will demonstrate delivery of consistently excellent customer service; the company will be sound financially, maintaining high operational and engineering standards, giving priority to the health and safety of passengers and staff through comprehensive risk management.

The Top Express Coach Operation demonstrates investment in fleet and operating staff, forms effective partnerships, identifies with and responds to the markets it serves and, through its quality of operation, continually strives to sustain and grow its market.

Winner, Gold Award: Express City Connect - Stagecoach East Scotland

The Express City Connect network of services operating across Fife and into Edinburgh, Perth, Dundee, Aberdeen and Glasgow operate a high standard of service for commuters. Facilities such as leather seats and free wifi have helped make public transport an attractive alternative, relieving congestion and achieving modal shift. Continued investment and route monitoring ensure effective service provision and growth.

The provision of high quality inter-urban express services continues to offer opportunities for growth and the provision of an attractive alternative to the car. The investment that Stagecoach have put into the growth of the network over recent years and the growth achieved are immensely impressive and convinced the judges to award the Gold in what was an very tight contest indeed.

Winner, Silver Award: The Oxford Tube - Stagecoach in Oxfordshire

The Oxford Tube is a flexible, affordable and reliable express coach service between Oxford and London. Operating all day and every day to ensure that coaches are on the road and at the stop when customers need to travel. The turn up and go service delivers a high quality coach experience and offers value fares for everyone.

With a 25-year record of innovation in vehicle design and service provision, the Oxford Tube continues to impress, and it was only by the narrowest of margins that the result was decided: a Silver Award was, in the judges' view, richly deserved.

Who could be nominated?

Individual scheduled express coach services operated by single licensed operators, either on their own account or under contract to a marketing organisation.

… and by whom?

We welcomed nominations from customers, authorities, user groups, bus operators or marketing organisations which contract in operators to run a service or network of services. Self-nomination was acceptable.