Bus drivers Lee Granthan, Liam Manuell and David Mulrooney are to represent National Express West Midlands at next month’s UK Bus Driver of the Year (BDoY) competition.

A total of 14 bus drivers from nine different National Express West Midlands depots took part in the operator’s local qualifying round for the BDoY. They completed a series of driving challenges, a bus simulator test and they also undertook a hazard perception test, with Lee from Acocks Green, Liam from Wolverhampton and David from West Bromwich receiving the top scores on the day.

The national final takes place on 3 September 2023 in Blackpool, where the competition has been held since 1982.

“This is the award every bus driver wants to win” – Lee Granthan

This is not Lee’s first stint at the Bus Driver of the Year final, as he secured a spot in the UK competition last year too. He said: “I’m over the moon to be going to the final again. This is the award every bus driver wants to win, so thank you to the training team for supporting us to take part.”

“National Express West Midlands drivers are some of the safest in the country” – Jenny Tocknell, UK Head of Engineering and Operational Safety at National Express

Jenny Tocknell, UK Head of Engineering and Operational Safety at National Express, said: “National Express West Midlands drivers are some of the safest in the country. They play a vital role with the highest standards of service for our customers, helping them get to where they need to be.

“We’re really proud that we’ve got three brilliant drivers taking part in this year’s UK final and would like to wish the best of luck to Lee, Liam and David for the 3 September. We are all keeping our fingers crossed!”

Master Driver milestone

National Express West Midlands takes the driving performance of its staff seriously, having recently celebrated 130 Master Drivers and 15 Elite Drivers at the company.

Its Master Driver programme recognises excellence in driving, measuring the performance of drivers and identifying those with an impeccable safety record and outstanding driving and customer service skills. Master Drivers must have achieved a grade A on their National Express West Midlands’ driver profile, 100% in their most recent driving evaluation, completed the Institute of Advanced Motorists course, and have a clear record.

This year the company introduced a new tier called Elite Drivers, celebrating those Master Drivers who demonstrate high performance year after year. With 17 years of dedicated service, Danielle Weekes recently became the company’s first-ever female Elite Driver.