Voting is now open in the hotly-contested 2024 Queensland Bus Driver of the Year Awards, with Queenslanders already submitting more than 3000 votes for their favourite driver.
With voting being extended until March 28 following the recent weather disruptions, there is now more time for the public to show their appreciation of the job their bus drivers do.
Everyone can vote. Each finalist has a video online at translink.com.au/driverawards show casing why they love their job and what their customers mean to them, as well as what they enjoy doing when not driving a bus.
The nine finalists vying for the top honour in one of three categories have been chosen from more than 1300 public nominations. The three categories in the Awards are: Regional Bus Driver of the Year, School Bus Driver of the Year, South East Queensland Bus Driver of the Year.
Translink Deputy Director-General, Dr Deborah Hume thanked all of this year's nominees for going above and beyond in their role as bus drivers.
“Congratulations to all this year’s nominees on their well-deserved recognition, and of course to the nine finalists who are in the running to take out the top award in their respective categories,” Dr Hume said.
“Bus drivers play a crucial role in keeping our communities moving and Translink’s Bus Driver of the Year Awards are a wonderful opportunity for customers to show their appreciation to drivers who go that extra mile, every day, for their customers.
"With the awards being decided by public nomination and vote, the drivers really do feel the appreciation of their customers as the we head into this final vote.”
Have your say and jump online at www.translink.com.au/driverawards. The winner in each category will be announced during this year’s Queensland Bus Industry Council (QBIC) Annual Gala Dinner & Awards Night in Cairns in April.
Finalists in the 2024 Queensland Bus Driver of the Year Awards are:
Regional Bus Driver of the Year:
- David Bussey – Whitsunday Transit
- Sam Davison – Bus Queensland (Toowoomba)
- Trevor Howard –Polleys Coaches, Gympie
School Bus Driver of the Year:
- Quentin Bennett – CDC Queensland (Sunshine Coast)
- Allan Downs – Bus Queensland (Toowoomba)
- Allan Humphrey – Bus Queensland (Toowoomba)
South East Queensland Bus Driver of the Year:
- Jeff Burgess – Kinetic, Gold Coast
- Hyuk Kim - Transport for Brisbane
- Isapela (Bella) Tuimavave Leaupepe - Hornibrook Bus Lines (Clontarf Depot)
For more information about Bus Driver of the Year Awards and to vote for the finalists, visit translink.com.au/driverawards.