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Now in their 20th year, the routeone Awards celebrate excellence and innovation in the coach and bus industry, recognising the outstanding achievements of operators and their staff across the UK. These prestigious awards highlight the hard work, dedication, and ingenuity driving the sector forward, setting benchmarks for quality and service.

The media plays a crucial role in amplifying these achievements. In a time when negative news often dominates the headlines, highlighting routeone Awards success stories showcases the dedication of companies making a difference every day, while underscoring the vital role the industry plays in communities, and motivating continuous improvement.

Thank you for your support and commitment to sharing the good news! Below, you’ll find resources to help you share these inspiring stories.

Categories, Criteria and Process
The road to success begins with nominations from industry peers, followed by entries, shortlisting, and final judging. This process ensures comprehensive entry information, meticulous judging, and credible results.

There are 15 competitive Award categories, each with specific criteria. After nomination by an industry peer, candidates must submit an entry outlining how they meet the criteria, including supporting evidence. The only exception is the Special Award, a 16th category, which is awarded by the judges for an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the industry.
- Finalists announcement: 15 July 2026 – See the finalists
- Winners reveal: 4 November, at the presentation evening.
For more information, see Categories and Criteria.
Key dates and times
15 April 2026: Nominations Deadline
Those within the industry are invited to nominate peers that deserve recognition.

22 May 2026: Entry Deadline
All nominees are invited to submit an entry, outlining how they meet the category criteria.

15 July 2026: Finalists Announcement
Expert Judges review the entries and publish the shortlist for the industry’s highest accolades.

2 & 3 September 2026: Final Judging
Candidates in the people categories are invited to interview. The Judges will meet for final deliberations.

4 November 2026: Winners Announcement
Winners are revealed at the presentation evening at The Vox, Resorts World, Birmingham.
Press Releases
The latest press releases are available on the Awards News webpage. You can also join the mailing list to receive updates in your inbox.
Images
High-resolution photographs of past events and winners can be found in the Event Image Gallery. This webpage will be updated with photographs of the 2026 winners being presented with their awards and other highlights from the event on 4 November 2026.

For features images on articles about finalists, please right click and save the graphics below:

If you require any other images, please don’t hesitate to contact:

Christina Glenister, Marketing Director
Email: [email protected]
Tel: +44 (0)1733 889690
Event Logo
Click here to download the routeone Awards logo in three colourways:

If you require any assistance with the logos, please don’t hesitate to contact:

Christina Glenister, Marketing Director
Email: [email protected]
Tel: +44 (0)1733 889690
About the Judges
Our panel of judges consists of distinguished professionals who have had long-standing careers and extensive expertise in the passenger transport sector. To ensure impartiality and avoid any bias, our judges are selected based on their impressive credentials and most are no longer active in the industry. This year’s judges are:
- Gary Nolan, former Chief Executive of Greater Manchester Bus Operators Association
- Joan Aitken OBE, former Traffic Commissioner for Scotland
- Richard Delahoy, Transport Consultant
- Graham Russell, former Director at FirstGroup
- Norman Thomas, former Engineering Product Manager for Volvo Bus.
- Nigel Eggleton, former Managing Director of First Bus South Yorkshire and Midlands
Their collective experience and knowledge ensure a fair and thorough evaluation of all entries, maintaining the high standards and integrity of the Awards. For more information, including biographies and images, see The Judges.
Past Winners
Discover the past winners on our Hall of Fame webpage.
Event Information
Where: The Vox, Resorts World, Birmingham
When: 4 November 2026, from 7pm
Dress code: Black tie
Tickets: Tickets are reserved for finalists until general release on 3 August 2026. Priced at £220 + VAT, tickets include access to a networking drinks reception, a three-course meal, table wine, entertainment, and courtesy coaches to and from local hotels.
Press contact
We are happy to assist with any questions regarding the awards. We can put you in touch with nominees, finalists, or winners, and can provide additional information as required. For all press enquiries, please contact:

Christina Glenister, Marketing Director
Email: [email protected]
Tel: +44 (0)1733 889690
Feature Your Article
If you share an article about the routeone Awards, please send the link to Christina Glenister at [email protected]. We will feature your article on our Awards News webpage, drawing more traffic to your publication and showcasing your support for the industry.

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