Finalists for the 2025 routeone Awards have been announced by organiser Diversified Communications, with 88 entries from individuals and operators across 15 categories achieving that status following completion of the first round of judging in early July.
The adjudication process now moves to its final stage ahead of the presentation evening at The Vox at Resorts World Birmingham on Thursday 13 November. It is there that the best in the coach and bus industry will be named in front of what is expected to be over 800 industry peers and colleagues.
In returning for its 19th year, the routeone Awards presentation evening will again celebrate operational excellence and inspirational leadership, engineering expertise, innovation in technology, and a commitment to sustainability and customer service.
The shortlist extends from the smallest coach and bus operators to the largest groups and captures the people who work with those businesses.
In addition to the 15 categories in which nominations are taken, a 16th – the Special Award – is decided at the judges’ discretion. It recognises an individual who has made an exceptional contribution to the industry.
This year’s judging panel is made up of:
- Joan Aitken OBE, former Traffic Commissioner for Scotland
- David Cattermole, former Managing Director of Galloway Travel
- Richard Delahoy, former Transport Consultant
- Mark Fowles OBE, former Managing Director of Nottingham City Transport
- Gary Nolan, former Stagecoach Regional Director
- Graham Russell, former senior engineering leader in the bus industry
- Norman Thomas, former Product Engineering Manager at Volvo Bus.
Judges will reconvene 10 and 11 September to conduct interviews with finalists in people categories and reach their final decisions on all 16 winners. Each entry has been assessed by the panel against a strict list of criteria in creation of the shortlist.
Naming of the finalists follows the routeone Awards’ twin recognition at the 2025 Awards Awards. There it was named Best Longstanding Awards Event and claimed Bronze in the Best Development of an Existing Awards Event category, reflecting nearly two decades of celebrating excellence in the coach and bus industry.
That recognition accompanies strong commercial backing for the 2025 routeone Awards. Partners and supporters from across the supply side of the coach and bus industry have been quick to secure their involvement well in advance of the presentation evening.
The 2025 finalists are:
Rising Star, partnered by PPG
- Alex Firth, Greys
- Andrew Wilson, Translink
- Ashley Brown, Johnsons Coaches
- Bethan Jenkinson, Go North West
- Georgie Rogers, National Express
- Idris Brown, Go North West
- Jodie Sweeney, First Bus Essex
- Joshua Rayner, Metroline.
Manager of the Year, small/medium operator (up to 150 vehicles), partnered by IntSol Recruitment
- Ashley Brown, Johnsons Coaches
- Billy Jones, Selwyns Travel
- Hannah Mountcastle, Sleafordian Coaches
- Sam Woolley, Roberts Travel Group
- Shirley Martin, Cymru Coaches.
Manager of the Year, large operator (over 150 vehicles), partnered by Freeway Fleet Systems
- Jonathon Hunt, First Bus East of England
- Natalie Harrison, Trentbarton
- Richard Wade, Go South Coast – Morebus
- Ryan Tanner, Brighton and Hove Buses and Metrobus
- Simon Ingham, Edwards Coaches
- Vicky Doyle, Brighton and Hove Buses and Metrobus.
Outstanding Customer Experience, partnered by Arthur Spriggs Busworld Tewkesbury
- Acklams Coaches
- Huyton Travel
- Johnsons Coaches
- LibertyBus
- Roberts Travel Group
- Sleafordian Coaches
- Uno Buses.
Engineer of the Year, small/medium operator (up to 150 vehicles), partnered by Pelican Bus + Coach
- Alex Firth, Greys
- Derek Catchpole, Passenger Plus
- Karl Hutchinson, Warrington’s Own Buses
- Phil Kerr, Sleafordian Coaches
- Scot Nicholetti, Whippet.
Engineer of the Year, large operator (over 150 vehicles), partnered by Knorr-Bremse Systems for Commercial Vehicles
- Darren Woodcock, Brighton and Hove Buses and Metrobus
- Martyn Walsh, Go North West
- Mike Lang, Cardiff Bus
- Paul Slaney, Translink
- Tom Ranson, Reading Buses.
Coach Tourism Programme of the Year, partnered by GTG Engineering Services
- Ellen Smith Tours
- Johnsons Coaches
- Masons Minibus and Coach Hire
- Maynes Coaches
- Roberts Travel Group.
Best Use of Technology – Coach Operator, partnered by JMW
- Belle Vue (Manchester)
- Ellen Smith Tours
- Llew Jones
- Passenger Plus
- Sleafordian Coaches.
Best Use of Technology – Bus Operator, partnered by Backhouse Jones
- Arriva UK Bus
- Brighton and Hove Buses and Metrobus
- Reading Buses
- Somerset Passenger Solutions
- The Harrogate Bus Company
- Translink
- Warrington’s Own Buses.
Sustainability Award, partnered by Zenobē
- Brighton and Hove Buses and Metrobus
- First Bus Leicester
- First Bus North and West Yorkshire
- Tootbus
- Translink
- Warrington’s Own Buses.
Small Coach Operator of the Year (up to 15 coaches), partnered by eCoachManager
- Anthony’s Travel
- Dunwood Travel
- Heathside Travel
- Masons Minibus and Coach Hire
- Woods Travel.
Medium Coach Operator of the Year (16-40 coaches), partnered by Daimler Buses
- Bennetts Coaches
- Henshaw’s Executive Travel
- Jason Edwards Travel
- Llew Jones
- Passenger Plus.
Small/Medium Bus Operator of the Year (up to 150 buses), partnered by Asset Alliance Group
- Grant Palmer
- Huyton Travel
- LibertyBus
- Stephensons of Essex
- Uno Buses
- Warrington’s Own Buses.
Large Coach Operator of the Year (over 40 coaches), partnered by Volvo Bus UK and Ireland
- Belle Vue (Manchester)
- Country Lion (Northampton)
- Cymru Coaches
- Johnsons Coaches
- Maynes Coaches
- Skills Motor Coaches.
Large Bus Operator of the Year (over 150 buses), partnered by C9 Recruitment
- Brighton and Hove Buses and Metrobus
- Cardiff Bus
- Go North West
- Go South Coast
- Oxford Bus Company and Thames Travel
- Reading Buses
- Trentbarton.
Special Award, partnered by Ticketer
- To be announced on the night and decided at the judges’ discretion.
Speaking about the 2025 finalists’ roster, Event Director Helen Conway says: “The support and enthusiasm we see from across the industry each year is what makes the routeone Awards so special.
“This year’s finalists reflect the dedication and hard work that keeps the industry moving forward, and we look forward to celebrating with them in November.”
Ticket bookings for the presentation evening will open on 1 August. Each place is priced at ÂŁ205 plus VAT. That includes a networking drinks reception, a three-course meal with table wine, entertainment, and courtesy coaches from and to local hotels. Those wishing to book can join a waiting list to be among the first to hear more.
For further information on the routeone Awards, visit the event website.
