OXFORD BUS COMPANY CLEAN UP AT BUS INDUSTRY OSCARS

Oxford Bus Company is celebrating having won four gongs at the most prestigious national bus industry award scheme, the UK Bus Awards.

Judges awarded Oxford Bus Company a gold, two silver and one bronze in a special night. The team’s outstanding performance saw them win the top gold award in the Bus and the Community category. Silver in both the Making Buses a Better Choice and the Cultural Change category and bronze in the Top Shire Operator.

Phil Southall, Oxford Bus Company Managing Director, said: “I’m so proud of the whole team for winning four out of four awards at the industry Oscars. It is a fantastic achievement and recognises the vision, talent and impact of our team in delivering better services to our customers in a challenging market. A big thank you to everyone who made this possible.”

The gold went to the company’s 'Brand the Bus' competition which offers people the chance to nominate their favourite good cause to be branded on a double-decker bus. The 10 entries that are deemed best according to a public vote are shortlisted and examined by a judging panel. The winning organisation is invited to work with the Oxford Bus Company to design a bus wrap featuring the brand colours, logo and messages of the good cause.

The annual competition was launched in 2018 and in its first year attracted 39 entrants and approximately 6000 unique votes from members of the public. The judges were impressed with the way the activity links back to the community, and creates real momentum giving charities some high-profile publicity throughout the city.

Innovative on-demand ride sharing service PickMeUp took silver in the Making Buses a Better Choice category. The silver award in the Cultural Change category recognised the company’s dedication to improving the business, its change programme began more than four years ago and has seen great developments from improved employee engagement, new recognition schemes, plus training and depot enhancements.

Bronze was awarded in the Top Shire Operator category, which recognises county bus companies that provide an outstanding service, show commitment to improving the environment they operate in, and are obsessive about the customer experience.

Mark Yexley, Chairman of the UK Bus Awards, said: “A massive congratulations to Oxford Bus Company, there are so many great initiatives which demonstrate both technological innovations, and community and staff engagement. To win four awards is a fantastic achievement. Well done to the whole team.”