Nottingham City Transport Crowned UK Bus Operator of the Year for Record-Breaking Sixth Time!
1 week ago
Nottingham City Transport has been named UK Bus Operator of the Year for an unprecedented sixth time, reaffirming its position as the leading bus operator in the country.
Following its recent success at the routeone Awards, where Nottingham City Transport (NCT) were crowned Large Bus Operator of the Year, NCT is proud to announce its extraordinary achievement at the 2024 UK Bus Awards, held at Troxy in London yesterday (Tuesday 26th November 2024) where it was named UK Bus Operator of the Year for the sixth time.
In addition to this monumental win:
- Brian Bowater was awarded Silver in the Unsung Hero category
- Natalie Monaghan-Smith was Highly Commended in the Manager of the Year category
- David Townsend was Finalist in the Top National Bus Driver category
It is twenty years since NCT were first named UK Bus Operator of the Year in 2004 and the Company subsequently picked up the top title in 2012, 2014, 2016, 2019 and 2024.
Celebrating Individual Achievements
Brian Bowater received Silver for his role as the driving force behind the day-to-day operations of NCT’s Social Society, which provides activities and events for NCT colleagues and their families. His commitment in reopening the company gym after the pandemic, coordinating charity events, organising coach trips, and arranging various social activities has made a lasting impact. Brian’s dedication and selfless efforts have fostered a sense of community among colleagues, earning him this well-deserved national recognition.
Natalie Monaghan-Smith was Highly Commended for her role in NCT achieving the prestigious Earned Recognition Status, placing the company in the “Premier League” of operators, signifying our active compliance with the rigorous processes and procedures set by DVSA. Natalie has been instrumental in ensuring that NCT maintains these high standards, playing a crucial role in ongoing compliance and future assessments.
NCT’s Bus Driver of the Year, David Townsend who drives its Pathfinder buses between Nottingham and Southwell was a Finalist in the Top National Bus Driver Award category.
A Milestone Achievement
David Astill, NCT’s Managing Director commented, “Winning UK Bus Operator of the Year is a testament to the dedication of every member of the NCT team, who work tirelessly to provide reliable, safe, and innovative bus services for Greater Nottingham. This recognition comes at a time when NCT continues to build on its legacy of sustainable transport, technological advancements, and customer service excellence. I’m immensely proud of the whole team I have the good fortune to lead here at NCT”.
Cllr Graham Chapman, NCT Chair said “This goes to show what we have known for a long while – NCT is ‘Simply the best’. It is a municipal bus company with service to the people of Nottingham at its core. The whole city should be very proud”.
The ethos of the UK Bus Awards is recognising, rewarding, and inspiring. It celebrates the best of the sector - from innovative engineering to community-focused campaigns, from outstanding operators to the unsung heroes on the frontline who deliver bus services daily.
A key element of the awards' credibility remains its rigorous and independent judging process. This includes comprehensive mystery travelling audits, where anonymous customers evaluate service quality against a detailed checklist of over 30 criteria. This impartial approach ensures that every award reflects genuine excellence, integrity, and dedication to the customer experience.
Announcing NCT as the UK Bus Operator of the Year, host the UK Bus Awards BBC newsreader Jane Hill said, “The winner of this prestigious award is ultimately decided by the mystery travelling scores, and this year, NCT’s scores easily surpassed the scores of all other operators in the respective categories. Our mystery traveller had some great rides and noted some excellent customer service. Its customers seem to love NCT too. And 92% of its staff say they are proud to work for the company!”
Commenting on this year's winners, Alan Millar, Chair of the UK Bus Awards, said "These awards remind us why buses matter. They're about connection - connecting people to jobs, education, and each other. It's inspiring to see how the industry continues to do just that while continuing to innovate and excel. Congratulations to all of our very worthy 2024 winners and finalists."
NCT’s success at the UK Bus Awards solidifies its position as a national leader in the transport sector, setting a benchmark for innovation, sustainability and operational excellence.
