Greater Glasgow

First goes for hat-trick at bus industry 'Oscars'

Glasgow's biggest bus operator, First in Glasgow, is in the running for a hat-trick of awards at the biggest event on the bus industry calendar - the UK Bus Awards.

The awards - often referred to as the bus industry 'Oscars' - are designed to recognise and reward excellence and good practice in a wide range of disciplines associated with the operation, design and promotion of bus services.

First in Glasgow is shortlisted for three of the prestigious awards - City Operator of the Year, Young Manager of the Year and Winning New Customers. The company could also go forward for the bus 'grand prix', UK Bus Operator of the Year, if successful in the City Operator category.

In shortlisting the company for City Operator, the judging panel recognised First's network expansion, greater choice, improved performance and patronage growth, proving that it is both a high quality transport provider and an employer of choice.

Rosie Stewart, a dynamic young woman, made the shortlist for Young Manager of the Year. Rosie, who is Depot Operations Manager at Dumbarton depot and Assistant Depot Operations Manager at Scotstoun depot, is passionate about the bus industry, having been bitten by the bug at just 17 years old and has a bright future ahead.

In the Winning New Customers category, First's entry shows an innovative approach to the launch and development of a new all-day high-frequency express bus service - the X85/X87 from Kirkintilloch/Lenzie to Glasgow city centre. Thanks to an exciting marketing campaign, 'Fancy a spin?', First achieved a dramatic increase in passenger numbers, modal shift in an area where traditionally the car is king, and improved satisfaction and customer loyalty.

First's success at reaching the shortlists for the UK Bus Awards comes just weeks after the company made the shortlist for the Scottish Transport Awards, including an entry for the most coveted award of Public Transport Operator of the Year. And Managing Director of First in Glasgow, Mark Savelli, was named Passenger Transport Professional of the Year at the Passenger Transport Management Awards in June.

Mr Savelli said: "We are very pleased to be shortlisted for three UK Bus Awards and I am especially pleased that we have a finalist in the Young Manager of the Year category. Rosie is a terrific ambassador for the bus industry and represents the future of our business.

"At First in Glasgow, we are showing that our bus services offer a viable alternative to the private car and we have some 3,000 highly motivated staff members all hungry for new customers. Having built a firm foundation for growth, the challenge for the future will be for us to build upon the successes achieved to date by appealing to more non-public transport users who may not yet be aware of the progressively improving nature of our bus services."

The company will find out if any of its entries take the top spot at the UK Bus Awards ceremony, which takes place in London on Thursday 12 November.