Local unsung bus heroes win Transdev awards

Bus operator Transdev is sharing the winning stories behind those awarded its Pride of the North Cup and Transdev Honours over the last six months, to turn the spotlight on its otherwise unsung heroes – the people who go further to keep thousands of customers on the move every day.

Both prizes are awarded each month – the Pride of the North Cup goes to the driver who receives the most positive feedback from customers for smooth and safe travels, while the companion Transdev Honours awards recognise amazing work by the bus firm’s support teams, including cleaners, travel shop staff and engineers.

Rochdale-based driver Shehjad Patel, who drives for The Blackburn Bus Company, won the May Pride of the North Cup.

Shehjad was nominated by a grateful customer for his kind actions when he spotted an elderly gentleman walking towards the next bus stop.

Realising the man would have missed his bus, Shehjad picked him up on the spot – a move which the nominating customer says, “showed immense kindness and courtesy.”

 

 

Rochdale depot engineer Duncan Bower was awarded a Transdev Honour for putting safety first when he arrived on the scene of a breakdown in the centre lane of a dual carriageway near Oldham.

Quick-thinking Duncan used his engineering van to close the inside lane to traffic, and quickly moved those on the bus to safety on a roadside embankment to await onward travel – actions which won him warm praise from a customer on board the bus that day.

Transdev Operations Director Vitto Pizzuti said: “We decided to relaunch our Pride of the North Cup at the start of this year to salute our drivers who receive the most positive feedback from customers.

“Drivers at all 10 of our depots across Lancashire and Greater Manchester, plus Yorkshire, now have a chance to win each month.

“And it’s not just about recognising our drivers. We couldn’t make it happen for our customers without the amazing work of our support teams – so we make sure they also get the recognition they deserve through our Transdev Honours awards.”

Customers can nominate any driver they feel has gone the extra mile to give them an amazing journey by emailing: PrideoftheNorthCup@transdevbus.co.uk