- Alison Clark and Darren Bailey will represent Stagecoach East at the national final of Bus Driver of the Year, to be held in Blackpool on 6th September
- Focus on driving quality, precision manoeuvres and theory knowledge.
Cambridgeshire’s biggest bus operator’s representatives for the national Bus Driver of the Year competition have been named, after winning through an ultra-competitive local heat.
Alison Clark and Darren Bailey will be heading to Blackpool for the National Final on Sunday 6th September, after just winning through ahead of Duncan Dunnett and Helen Cumberland, who will act as first and second reserve.
Alison and Darren will be put through their paces alongside competitors from all around the country for the coveted title of Bus Driver of the Year. The competition consists of a gruelling series of tests, including a theory examination and an on-road driving course incorporating precision driving manoeuvres along a specially registered bus route called Middle Walk, which runs along the beautiful Blackpool coastline
Ian de Chastelain, Head of Training at Stagecoach East, who oversaw the regional heats, alongside event coordinator Niki Ebers, scorekeeper Kevin Turpin, and marshals Wes Walter, Paul Sheridan, Tom Eden and Pat Hayward, said: “I am so proud that Alison and Darren will be representing us, they are excellent driving professionals. In our heats, they have both showcased our outstanding driving standards and company values and so – although the competition will be of the very highest standard – I am sure that they will acquit themselves well.
“The pressure will always be intense when you are performing difficult and challenging driving manoeuvres with little margin for error under the full glare of the judges. Alison and Darren are used to working in a culture, at Stagecoach East, where the safety of our customers and of other road users is our number one priority. This culture shows not only in the quality of their professional bus driving, it will also give them a natural competitive edge in Blackpool at the Final.
“The very best of luck to Alison and Darren, I know that you will represent Stagecoach East with pride and distinction!”