VOTING HAS opened for the finalists of the 2022 Queensland Bus Driver of the Year Awards, running 7-18 March, organisers have announced.
The awards are designed to acknowledge the important work that bus drivers do across the state, they explain.
Head of Translink Sally Stannard confirms more than 1200 nominations had been received across the three award categories, recognising the vital role bus drivers continue to play in keeping Queenslanders moving and connected to work, study, essential services and each other.
“We’re delighted to see the hard work of so many drivers acknowledged via a nomination and whittling the list of finalists down to just nine was incredibly tough,” Stannard said.
“Frontline public transport staff, including hard-working bus drivers, really have been unsung heroes during Covid-19, which is why these awards are so important,” she said.
The award is broken into three separate categories: South East Queensland; Regional Queensland; and School Bus Drivers of the Year.
Stannard adds that the nine drivers chosen as finalists are a shining example of friendly customer service and have shown a willingness to go above and beyond for customers.
“It’s an exciting time for the awards and we’d encourage as many people as possible to jump online and vote for their favourite driver,” she explained.
“I’d like to congratulate our finalists, as well as all drivers who were nominated, and am looking forward to crowning the winners on April 9.”
To vote for one of the finalists, visit translink.com.au/driverawards.
THE FINALISTS
South East Queensland:
Kate Addley (Transdev, Capalaba)
Many of Kate’s passengers recognise her by the bright hair bands she wears.
Kate was nominated because she treats her passengers not only as friends but as part of her ‘extended family.’
She is always friendly, cheerful and helpful. Kate even uses sign language to communicate with some of her passengers!
Kate loves meeting people from all walks of life and winning this award would mean the world to her.
Rick Pilgrim (Mt Gravatt Coachlines, Logan)
Rick says he’s just an average guy who is doing his job.
He’s described as always being helpful to everybody and nothing is too much trouble.
In one of his nominations someone wrote “During Covid [as an essential worker] I was often the only person on the bus and it was very reassuring to have [his] friendly company…in what was a pretty bleak period.”
Glenda Curyer (Sunbus, Sunshine Coast)
Glenda says she was born to drive. She’s known by some of her passengers as ‘Glenda the mentor” and is always friendly and courteous to her passengers.
In one of her nominations someone wrote, “She often sings, and it’s always a pleasure to see her and ride on her bus.”
She was described as being friendly, positive and courteous while also being a very safe, smooth driver.
Regional Queensland:
Mark Bell (Kinetic, Rockhampton)
Mark has been driving buses in Rockhampton for many years.
He was nominated because he is always smiling and loves to make his passengers laugh with his funny stories.
In one of his nominations someone wrote, “He has made me laugh with his funny stories a number of times when my day has been particularly trying.”
Mark was described as being a true professional – who handles things in his stride.
Jaswinder (Jessie) Singh (Bus Queensland, Toowoomba)
This softly spoken driver always cares about his passengers and goes out of his way to help them.
He loves to help people by taking them where they need to go safely with a smile on their face.
He’s a driver that everybody remembers. In one of his nominations someone said, “I told him [Jessie] how much he impacted my commute with his kindness and he told me that he would always be here for me. His kindness made me tear up.”
Harold Denman (Sunbus, Cairns)
Harold is a familiar face on buses around Cairns.
He loves to chat to people and share stories with them. Someone wrote in their nomination that he’s “always being friendly and kind every-time I catch his bus.”
Harold has been working hard to go above and beyond to keep people connected during Covid.
While he strives to always be as helpful as possible – he says he’s just out there doing his job. Harold says he’s flabbergasted to be nominated.
School bus driver:
Lachie Heron (Thompson Bus Services, Joyner)
Lachie is well known for making an effort to get know everybody who travels on his bus.
He never forgets a face and knows the names of all the children who catch his service every day.
He has a positive attitude and is always smiling. In one of his nominations, he was described as being “An outstanding example of a person who goes above and beyond for his passengers.”
Donna McMahon (Sunbus, Sunshine Coast)
Donna has a big heart and a warm smile for all the students who ride her bus.
She is well known for making the journey to and from school a positive experience with laughter and sing-a-longs.
Someone wrote in their nomination “Donna is truly amazing. She makes the whole experience [for the children] so positive and memorable.”
John Maddy (Sunbus, Sunshine Coast)
John feels very humbled to be nominated.
He loves his job – especially interacting with the children.
In one of his nominations someone who has been catching John’s bus twice a day for two hours a day wrote, “John has become a big part of my life… He’s been a calm and positive influence. John hopes that the children who catch his service will remember him even after they’ve finished school.
Photography: courtesy Translink
