Bus companies in the South East are celebrating today with the announcement that they have been short-listed in seven award categories in the 2010 UK Bus Awards. They have been selected from 200 highly competitive entries from across the country and the winners will be announced at the prestigious awards ceremony to be held at London’s Hilton Hotel on the 16th November.

Arriva the Shires is included in the shortlist for the Winning New Customers category for its PlatinumMK route 300 linking which will link the Eastern and Western Expansion Areas of Milton Keynes.

Brighton & Hove Bus and Coach Company is shortlisted in City Operator of the Year while Metrobus Ltd’s Crawley Bus Depot which operates services in West Sussex, Surrey and Kent is in the running for the new category of Top National Bus Depot

Kent County Council has earned a place in the Winning New Customers category for its ASK project which has attracted large numbers of extra passengers through its Ashford Bus Route Improvements scheme.

National Express is shortlisted in the Express Coach Operation of the Year for its 24 hour coach service The Stansted to London “A” Routes
Quality Line (Epsom Coaches Group) is among the finalists for the title of Independent Operator of the Year, whilst Stagecoach East Kent has a shortlisted place in the Bus Marketing Campaign of the Year for its campaign entitled “It's a breeze - Thanet to Canterbury”.

Congratulating all the shortlisted entries, UK Bus Awards chairman John Owen commented: “We’ve been absolutely delighted with both the quantity and quality of entries for the 2010 UK Bus Awards. Despite the pressures caused by the harsh economic climate and the Competition Commission inquiry into the bus industry, we’ve been hugely impressed by the commitment to quality and innovation shown by bus operators, local authorities and their partners in this, the Awards 15th year.”

And he added:” The judges have had an extremely tough time selecting the shortlist, and the final decision is going to be very difficult indeed, I wish all the nominees every success at this year’s event in November.”

Press queries, including images, should be directed to the Trinity Partnership’s Jackie Wurr on 079740 84784/email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Anne Harper on 07840 984 560/email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit www.ukbusawards.org.uk

Notes to Editors

1. UK Bus Awards was founded in 1996 and is run by an independent, special purpose, not-for-dividend company.
2. The UK Bus Awards Scheme is 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. Its mission is also to use the inspiration of the winning projects to inspire others to emulate the winning schemes, projects or organisations.
3. The 2010 UK Bus Awards will be presented at a lunchtime ceremony on 16th November at the London Hilton.
4. Before deciding the winners, finalists in the operating categories will be checked by “mystery travellers” to ensure that service delivery is up to the mark.
5. The shortlist for the competition was announced today at a ceremony at the University of Warwick. The announcement formed part of the UKBA Annual Conference, which offers bus industry representatives an opportunity to hear more from those who are leading the way in quality and innovation, including winners of previous years’ Awards. The conference included guest speakers and a visit to the award-winning PrimeLines Project in Coventry
6. Further details of the shortlisted entries in the South East for the 2010 competition are shown below.

South East Region’s Shortlisted Entries

Arriva the Shires
AWARD CATEGORY: Winning New Customers
ENTRY TITLE: PlatinumMK route 300

Description of Entry: PlatinumMK route 300 is a high quality bus service which will link the Eastern and Western Expansion Areas of Milton Keynes.  The project is the result of partnership working between Arriva, Milton Keynes Council and Milton Keynes Partnership.  Offering a quick and direct route to the city centre and rail station, the buses already offer a real alternative to the car.

Brighton & Hove Bus and Coach Company

AWARD CATEGORY: City Operator of the Year

ENTRY TITLE: City Bus Operator of the Year

Description of Entry: Brighton & Hove has an enviable reputation in the local community it serves and has successfully worked in partnership to consistently grow passenger journeys for over 15 years.  The company has a passion for excellence in customer service, operates a modern fleet running frequent, easy-to-use services at value for money prices with great staff and excellent marketing.

Kent County Council

AWARD CATEGORY: Winning New Customers

ENTRY TITLE:  ASK for a joined up Ashford - Ashford Bus Route Improvements

Description of Entry: Stagecoach in East Kent, Kent County Council, Ashford Borough Council and Ashford's Future Partnership Board have signed a Quality Bus Partnership with the shared objectives of creating a public transport network acknowledged by local residents, visitors and the business community as an attractive alternative to car use, with co-ordinated investment by all parties in new vehicles and bus route infrastructure.

Metrobus Ltd

AWARD CATEGORY: Top National Bus Depot

SHORTLISTED:     Crawley Bus Depot

Description of Entry: Metrobus registered a commercial network in Crawley in 2001 when the existing operator declared that operations in the town were unviable. The last ten years, however, have seen unprecedented growth, including the introduction of the highly praised 'Fastway' service. The depot now operates services throughout West Sussex, Surrey and Kent, with an enviable reputation for quality, investment and customer service.

National Express

AWARD CATEGORY: Express Coach Operation of the Year

ENTRY TITLE: The Stansted to London “A” Routes

Description of Entry: National Express provides a coach service 24 hours a day between Stansted Airport, central London and other UK destinations. The main routes are the A6 to London Victoria stopping at Golders Green, St Johns Wood, Finchley Road Baker Street and Marble Arch and the A9 direct to Stratford East London, extending to Liverpool Street station at night. In June 2009 a new sales desk was opened at Stansted Airport selling train & coach tickets to London.

Quality Line (Epsom Coaches Group)

AWARD CATEGORY: Independent Operator of the Year

Description of Entry Quality Line is the bus operating division of Epsom Coaches. It continues to be a leader amongst independent operators, with recent redevelopment of its operating site providing state of the art facilities, which are the best in the industry, together with performing to the highest standards. Its financial performance demonstrates its success, coupled with significant investment in fleet and infrastructure.

Stagecoach East Kent

AWARD CATEGORY: Bus Marketing Campaign of the Year

ENTRY TITLE: It's a breeze - Thanet to Canterbury

Description of Entry: The route 8 bus service, which runs between Thanet and Canterbury, was re-branded "The Breeze" following investment in 15 new buses, from May 2009. A range of bold, eye-catching messages were designed for the buses and a detailed launch plan was put together that centred around a well publicised public launch event, which attracted hundreds of local people to attend.

ENDS