First Bus recognised at 2025 UK Bus Awards

The company grabbed five gold awards, five bronze and was a finalist and highly commended in eight other categories at the annual UK Bus Awards on Tuesday (November 25).

Among the accolades was First Bus London, who received Gold in three categories; Bus Garage of the Year for its Tolworth Depot, Top London Bus Driver for Katarzyna Boczkaja, and Unsung Hero for John Cowell, from the company’s Fulwell depot. John, a Driver Trainer Supervisor, received the award for his exceptional dedication to supporting and rehabilitating bus drivers involved in serious no-fault incidents. As part of his role, John has made a personal commitment to help drivers rebuild their confidence.

Jonathon Hunt, First Bus East of England's Head of Operations took Gold in the Manager of the Year category, and First Charge, which gives access to businesses, fleet operators and the public to its electric charging points, received Bronze in the Environmental Innovation category.

Taking gold in the Partnership for Excellence category, was Portsmouth Buses Partnership, a collaborative effort between First Bus South, Stagecoach South and Portsmouth City Council, aimed at improving public transport in Portsmouth. 

The awards annually recognise, reward and inspire innovation across the UK’s leading bus companies.

First Bus’ winners joined more than 600 others from the bus industry at the awards ceremony at The Troxy in London. Among them were:

First Bus London         

GOLD:
London Bus Garage of the Year -  Tolworth Garage
Unsung Hero – John Cowell
Top London Bus Driver - Katarzyna Boczkaja

BRONZE:
Top London Bus Driver – Jay Songhurst
Contribution to Safer Driving – Perry Avery

FINALIST:          
Top London Bus Driver - Vincent Marcelo
Young Manager of the Year - Onyemaechi Akutu
London Bus Garage of the Year - Westbourne Park

First Bus East of England

GOLD:                
Manager of the Year – Jonathon Hunt, Head of Operations

FINALIST:             
Culture Change – Alzheimer’s Awareness

First Bus South

GOLD:                
Partnership for Excellence: The Peter Huntley Memorial Award

First Charge

BRONZE:              
Environmental Innovation – First Charge 

First Bus North & West Yorkshire

BRONZE:           
Bus and the Community
Top Shire Operator – First Bus York

FINALIST:           
Engineer of the Year - Tony Spencer
Top City Operator

First Bus Scotland

HIGHLY COMMENDED:
Marketing for Growth - Free to Explore

Specialist Passenger Solutions

FINALIST:             
Bus and the Community
Contribution to Safer Driving