Driver Awards voting

Winners announced!

Congratulations
to our
winners.

Congratulations to our exceptional winners and finalists of the 2024 Bus Driver of the Year Awards!

There’s still time to meet our incredible 2024 Queensland Bus Driver of the Year winners and finalists and hear their stories.

South East Queensland Driver of the Year

Jeff Burgess - Kinetic
(Gold Coast)

Meet Jeff, who thinks the ultimate perk of his job is to drive around our scenic Gold Coast! He is a seasoned bus driver who takes great pride in ensuring our customers have a safe and enjoyable experience. Described in his nomination as a friendly, kind and compassionate driver, he focuses on the small moments like talking and connecting to customers that can make a big difference to their day. Jeff has many years' experience in dairy farming and operating a bus evokes fond memories of his time on the farm driving large tractor vehicles.

Hyuk Kim – Transport for Brisbane
(Brisbane)

Meet Hyuk, a devoted and committed bus driver who upholds his personal responsibility to the community of providing a safe, reliable and pleasurable travel journey. Hyuk was born in Korea and, after moving to Australia, was drawn to a career in bus driving, inspired by seeing a very friendly bus driver who greeted and thanked each of his customers. His professional pride and passion for his job was well- recognised in his nomination for making customers feel safe and cared for when travelling. During his days off, he enjoys unwinding and relaxing with a good book.

WINNER

Isapela (Bella) Tuimavave Leaupepe - Hornibrook Bus Lines (Clontarf Depot)

Meet Bella, who radiates positivity and warmth with her infectious smile and sunny outlook on life. Bella is known as Miss Frangipani in the community of Moreton Bay, for her signature style - wearing white and yellow flowers in her hair! She has spent 23 years driving, spreading positive energy by having a laugh with customers that adds a touch of joy to their day. When she is not driving, Bella treasures family time and creating memorable moments with her growing family of six children and 20 grandchildren. She even became a great grandmother last year.

Regional Queensland Driver of the Year

David Bussey – Whitsunday Transit
(Airlie Beach)

Meet David, affectionately known in the community of Airlie Beach as “Buzz”. Renowned for his outstanding customer service to both locals and tourists in this beautiful region, David has deservedly been named a finalist for the second year in a row! David likes to share his local knowledge and is always eager to assist – whether he’s helping residents or welcoming new international visitors disembarking from cruise ships, ensuring they have a safe and enjoyable experience. During his downtime he enjoys fossicking for precious gems with his metal detector. His discoveries, including valuable gems like rubies, sapphires, and even diamonds, highlights his adventurous spirit and love for discovery.

WINNER

Sam Davison - Bus Queensland
(Toowoomba)

Meet Sam, whose nostalgic affection for buses led him to fulfil his childhood dream of becoming a bus driver. Since getting his bus driver’s licence at 20, he has been driving customers around with a professional and friendly demeanour, coupled with positive customer service attributes. Sam loves to communicate and connect in many ways with customers, he is fluent in sign language which brings a smile to customers’ faces and ensures everyone can safely reach their destination. When he’s not driving buses, he enjoys taking the caravan out on adventures and going four-wheel driving with his family.

Trevor Howard - Polleys Coaches
(Gympie)

Meet Trevor, a well-known local in the Cooloola Coast area due to his dedication and longevity. Driving for Polley Coaches, he travels routes from Tin Can Bay to Gympie. Trevor takes the time to listen and learn about his customers, providing a comfortable and safe travel experience. In regional communities such as Gympie, bus travel is really important for people to get to school, doctor’s appointments, and just to run everyday errands. Trevor makes the extra effort to get to know customers and where they need to go to support their daily lives. When he is not driving a bus, you might find him fishing in the beautiful waters of Tin Can Bay.

School Bus Driver of the Year

Quentin Bennett - CDC Queensland (Sunshine Coast)

Meet Quentin, he loves being a bus driver as he gets to see the children at the two best parts of the day: at the start of the day when they are excited and full of energy and at the end of the day when they have experienced a full day of learning. His nomination commends him for his safety practices, instilling confidence and reassurance to both children and parents. Quentin takes great pride in providing a friendly, reliable and safe service to everyone onboard. Every expression of gratitude, even a little ‘thank you’ from the children, represents a mark of fulfilment in his role of bus driver. Outside of work, Quentin enjoys running as it allows him time to relax, reflect and rejuvenate.

Allan Downs - Bus Queensland (Toowoomba)

Meet Allan Downs, a bus driver who consistently goes the extra mile for the children he drives to school everyday. He’s a dependable support for parents, ensuring a seamless and stress-free trip to and from school. Allan’s caring, kind and compassionate nature from their first day of school until their last, has made the children feel safe and confident to travel with him. He values his contribution to the community and has received overflowing gratitude and praise, a child even made him cupcakes for his birthday – each cupcake had a letter on each one that together spelled out “Allan rocks”.

WINNER

Allan Humphrey - Bus Queensland (Toowoomba)

Meet Allan Humphrey, a friendly and helpful school bus driver who’s been making children’s rides to school great for seven years. Initially, Allan thought he wanted to drive urban buses but discovered his passion for the school run after getting to know the children and supporting them on their daily travels. He acts as a role model for the children, one that actively engages and listens, and helps out when needed. His warm and helpful nature has been well acknowledged by someone who nominated him putting it simply: "he truly deserves recognition for making our daily lives better". When he’s not behind the wheel of a school bus, Allan has a passion for motorbikes and enjoys going on long rides. He is even currently rebuilding an old 900 Honda in his spare time!

Jeff Burgess - Kinetic(Gold Coast)

Hyuk Kim – Transport for Brisbane(Brisbane)

WINNER

Isapela (Bella) Tuimavave Leaupepe - Hornibrook Bus Lines (Clontarf Depot)

David Bussey – Whitsunday Transit(Airlie Beach)

WINNER

Sam Davison - Bus Queensland(Toowoomba)

Trevor Howard - Polleys Coaches(Gympie)

Quentin Bennett - CDC Queensland (Sunshine Coast)

Allan Downs - Bus Queensland (Toowoomba)

WINNER

Allan Humphrey - Bus Queensland (Toowoomba)

Jeff Burgess - Kinetic
(Gold Coast)

Hyuk Kim – Transport for Brisbane
(Brisbane)

David Bussey – Whitsunday Transit
(Airlie Beach)

Sam Davison - Bus Queensland
(Toowoomba)

Trevor Howard - Polleys Coaches
(Gympie)