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Jersey's key public transport operator is celebrating being named Bus Operator of the Year at a prestigious awards considered to be the Oscars of the bus and coach industry.
Awarded at a ceremony last week at The Vox in Birmingham, the five operator-strong shortlist for the Route One accolade was made up of "small to medium-sized bus operators... who excel and show exemplary service in every respect".
Each entry underwent careful scrutiny by a panel of respected industry judges – including former Traffic Commissioner for Scotland Joan Aitken OBE and former Engineering Product Manager for Volvo Bus Norman Thomas among other former regional service provider heads – to determine the best in the business.
In naming LibertyBus as winner, the judging panel commended for its "outstanding “commitment to customer service and a focus on growing patronage”, as well as its activity in the community – efforts which have led to "record-high" passenger growth, according to the business.
Pictured: LibertyBus thanked their customers, staff and supporters within Government. (Rob Currie)
LibertyBus and its Guernsey equivalent, CT Plus, were both acquired in 2022 by Tower Transit, a subsidiary of Australia's Kelsian Group. Kelsian, Australia's largest transport provider, operates services in Singapore, London, and across the Channel Islands.
Tower Transit's Managing Director, Samuel Ribeiro, said the achievement "wouldn't have been possible without the support from our staff, customers, and of course, the Government of Jersey, particularly the IE Department, who together with [LibertyBus Director Kevin Hart] and his team 'live and breathe' the bus operation on a daily basis'".
It comes hot on the heels of LibertyBus having been confirmed as Jersey's bus provider for another 10 years – with self-service ticketing and ultra-low emission, high-capacity buses due to replace older vehicles as part of the new agreement.
Those changes are due to happen within the first 12 months, and LibertyBus has also committed to a full renewal of its fleet over the life of the contract.
Pictured: The ceremony in Birmingham last week.
The operator has also pledged to provide a "record-high" number of services – exceeding the number of routes and service frequencies required by the tender – and is also looking to install new self-service ticketing machines.
Reflecting on the latest accolade, Mr Hart said: "We are dedicated to continuously improving the travel experience for our passengers and investing in the local community and are tremendously happy to see our efforts recognised with this award."
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