The Bus Industry Confederation (BIC), following the opening night of its national conference in Hobart, has crowned the winners of its National Industry Awards.
Ranging from the national achiever through to the outstanding contribution of the year award, the night was all about rewarding the leading members of the bus and coach industry for 2024.
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The night started with the national achiever award, which went to Kaylee Lewis at Clarks Logan City Bus Services.
The national safety award was al CDC NSW’s, with CEO David Mead accepting the award on behalf of the team.
Tropic Wings Cairns Tours & Charters was recognised for a stellar year with the national environment and innovation award, while a local in Deborah Gray of MetroTas took home the hotly contested national driver of the year award.
Kangaroo Bus Lines general manager was in the room to accept the national operator of the year award on behalf of his business, while Scania Australia managing director Manfred Streit was also on hand for the national supplier of the year award that went to Scania Australia.
Another competitive field of finalists dominated the national apprentice/trainee of the year award, but the winner was Transport for Brisbane’s Angus Fedrik, with Queensland Bus Industry Council (QBIC) executive director Jason O’Dwyer accepting the award on his behalf.
The most poignant and powerful award was saved for last in the national outstanding contribution of the year award.
The award for 2024 was shared between two industry titans, with Jim Hill of Gatton Bus Lines and Dick Rowe of Busways being joint winners.
The award recognises the legacy of both men, with Hill sadly passing away earlier this year, with daughter and current Gatton Bus Lines head Tayla Hill accepting the award on his behalf.
Busways managing director Byron Rowe accepted the award on behalf of his grandfather, who sadly passed away earlier this year aged 100.
See below a full list of award winners:
- National Achiever Award – Kaylee Lewis, Clarks Logan City Bus Services
- National Safety Award – CDC NSW
- National Environment and Innovation Award – Tropic Wings Cairns Tours & Charters
- National Driver of the Year Award – Deborah Gray, MetroTas
- National Operator of the Year Award – Kangaroo Bus Lines
- National Supplier of the Year Award – Scania Australia
- National Apprentice/Trainee of the Year Award – Angus Fedrik, Transport for Brisbane
- National Outstanding Contribution of the Year Award – Jim Hill and Dick Rowe
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