trentbarton and our top driver Carole Hind are in the running for two major national prizes at the UK Bus Awards 2015.

Carole, who has already won our own Driver of the Year title at our Really Good Service Awards back in May, drives our non-stop red arrow bus service between Derby and Nottingham.

Carole said: “It is exciting to be a finalist in the national awards. I love driving the red arrows and really do enjoy helping our customers, many of whom use the service every day and make me smile as much as I hope I make them.”

trentbarton is one of five finalists in the Top Shire Operator category where it is up against Metrobus in Crawley, more bus in Dorset, Reading Buses and Stagecoach South West. The winner is then in the running to be named the overall UK Bus Operator of the Year, an award trentbarton has previously won 3 times.

Operating a fleet of more than 275 buses linking cities, towns and villages in Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire, trentbarton employs approaching 1,000 staff.

Jeff Counsell, Managing Director of trentbarton, said: “Our success is thanks to the hard work of every member of our whole team, including our exceptional drivers who are the friendly faces of the company’s customer care.

“That is exemplified by Carole, whose immaculate presentation and warm, welcoming smile for every customer creates a great first impression. Her friendly and approachable personality really shines through and her driving skills are second to none.”

Carole – the only female driver in the awards – and trentbarton will find out if we have won at a ceremony at London’s South Bank on November 24.

trentbarton has a great rack record at the UK Bus Awards, now in their 20th year. Past winners have included drivers Allan Gilmour in 2012, Rhamzan Mohammed in 2010 and Barry Allitt in 2009. In 2012 trenbarton’s Tom Morgan, now the company’s service delivery director, won Young Manager of the Year.