TRANSDEV Yellow Buses (TYB) has been named Shire Operator of the Year at the UK Bus Awards 2009.

The company, which operates services across Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch, beat off stiff competition to win the prestigious national title.

Managing Director Derek Lott was presented with a trophy in front of 650 industry professionals at a lunchtime ceremony at London’s Hilton Hotel.

Mr Lott said: “These awards are the most prestigious in the UK bus industry and to be even shortlisted is a great honour.

“I congratulate everyone at TYB on this magnificent achievement which we are proud to share with the thousands of loyal customers who choose to travel on our services.”

The Shire Operator of the Year category is open to bus companies operating service networks wholly or mainly outside the UK’s major conurbations.

Entrants are judged on their performance in a number of areas including customer relations, employee relations, timekeeping and lost mileage, financial sustainability, risk assessment, environmental matters and social responsibility, partnership working and sustaining and expanding the market for public transport.

The judges said TYB had “come a very long way in a very short time following its purchase from the local authority by Transdev.”

They said TYB had “become innovative, focussed and is continuing to look for smart ways to improve its customer service and grow its market in the very competitive Bournemouth area.”

The judges added they were “also very impressed by the company’s proactive and comprehensive approach to customer issues, its workforce, the service network, marketing, reliability and punctuality, the need for a strong identity and involvement with the local community, and its attitude to environmental and safety values.”

TYB was also highly commended in the Innovation category for its Carbon Stoppers campaign, run in conjunction with the Daily Echo, Bournemouth.

Ed Wills, TYB’s Head of Operations, was named runner up in the category for the bus industry’s Young Manager of the Year.

Mr Lott said TYB enjoyed good relations with local authorities in Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch and to encourage bus travel it was important for councils to support public transport.

He added: “Our business has been transformed in the last three years and this award is recognition of how far we’ve come.”

The awards ceremony was compered by Stephanie Flanders, BBC Economics Editor, and the prizes were presented by Anthony Smith, Chief Executive of consumer watchdog Passenger Focus.

ENDS

Picture caption:

Just the ticket: Derek Lott, Managing Director (centre with trophy), joins staff to celebrate TYB winning the Shire Operator of the Year award at the UK Bus Awards 2009.