McGill's drivers target top prize at UK Bus Driver Of The Year final

Five of McGill’s Group’s leading drivers will soon put their skills to the test against the best in Britain at the UK Bus Driver of the Year National Final.

The competition takes place in Blackpool on Sunday 6 September and will assess drivers’ practical ability, road safety knowledge, customer care and professionalism.

Representing McGill’s Group will be:

· Daniel Javed – Johnstone depot

· Jan Bejgerowski – Johnstone depot

· Maciej Herman – Johnstone depot

· Gavin Justice – Larbert depot

· Michael Morrison – Larbert depot

The team will be hoping to build on McGill’s Buses' outstanding performance in last year’s competition, when Maciej Herman finished third overall and was the highest-placed competitor from a Scottish depot.

Gavin Justice also achieved the best result in the theory test across the entire competition, while Michael Morrison was the third-highest-placed McGill’s entrant.

Stephen Docherty, Training Instructor and Delegated Examiner at McGill’s Bus Group, said:

“We are delighted to have five very strong candidates representing McGill’s at this year’s UK Bus Driver of the Year final.

“The standard of the competition is exceptionally high, bringing together the very best drivers from operators across the country. Maciej’s third-place finish last year, together with Gavin achieving the best theory test result, demonstrated the skill, knowledge and professionalism we have within the business.

“All five drivers are excellent ambassadors for McGill’s and take tremendous pride in the service they provide to customers every day. They have been preparing hard and will have the full support of everyone across the Group when they head to Blackpool.

“We know how challenging the competition will be, but we are travelling with a strong team and hope we can build on last year’s success - and perhaps bring the top prize back to Scotland.”

The national final is designed to replicate the demands of a driver’s normal working day. Competitors operate under the rules of the event’s fictitious Middle Walk Bus Services and must meet strict standards covering driving style, customer care, presentation and professional conduct.

The day begins with competitors signing on, presenting their driving licence and Driver Certificate of Professional Competence card, and completing a breathalyser test.

They then face a theory assessment and a practical driving test on a three-mile course incorporating manoeuvring exercises and a circuit through normal traffic along Blackpool’s Promenade and Middle Walk.

Drivers must stop precisely at designated bus stops while judges assess their signalling, positioning, speed, observation and compliance with the Highway Code. Penalty points can be applied for errors including touching a kerb, exceeding speed limits, departing from the designated route or requiring additional manoeuvres.

The UK Bus Driver of the Year competition is the bus industry’s leading national road safety and driving skills contest, with around 100 of the country’s best drivers expected to compete in this year’s final.