Local bus operator Stagecoach North East has been recognised for its excellence after being shortlisted in two categories in the industry’s top national awards.
The bus company is celebrating making the finals of the UK Bus Awards after it received nominations for its Sunderland operations for Top National Depot, and Young Manager of the Year for Laura Smith, Operations Manager.
The depot at Sunderland, where the head office for Stagecoach North East is based, has been shortlisted in recognition of its quality and first class standards of operation. In order to reach the finals, Stagecoach North East was required to meet the highest levels, including performance across a wide range of criteria such as engineering standards, punctuality, staff turnover, customer satisfaction, driver quality and pass rates.
In addition to its commitment to maintaining and improving operational standards, the depot has demonstrated its contributions to local and global environment initiatives with its Eco Driver and Green Week programmes. The Sunderland staff have also developed a real sense of team spirit with popular events like Green Santa, working within the community to fundraise for local and national charity initiatives such as charity calendars and the national Movember campaign; and actively embracing customer service schemes including Catch the Bus Week and National Customer Service Week.
As a finalist, Operations Manager Laura has successfully demonstrated her management and operational skills, as well as her commitment to the team. Joining the transport company in 2009 as part of the Graduate Training Programme, Leeds-born Laura, aged 29, was previously Operations Manager for Stagecoach in Cheltenham and the Cotswolds, and joined the Sunderland depot in September 2014.