Three of Queensland’s top bus drivers have been named as bus driver of the year in their respective driver categories at the 2024 Bus Driver of the Year Awards.
All three drivers have distinguished themselves through their outstanding service to the community, with customer votes determining the final winners.
Winners of the 2024 Queensland Bus Driver of the Year Awards were:
- South East Queensland Bus Driver of the Year: Isapela (Bella) Tuimavave Leaupepe, Hornibrook Bus Lines (Clontarf)
- Regional Bus Driver of the Year: Sam Davison, Bus Queensland (Toowoomba)
- School Bus Driver of the Year: Allan Humphrey, Bus Queensland (Toowoomba)
Thousands of votes were cast as locals got behind their favourite driver. The finalists were selected by an expert judging panel from more than 1300 nominations.
Bella has been driving for 23 years and is known as Miss Frangipani in her local community of Moreton Bay, for her signature flower in her hair.
Sam and Allan both work out of the same bus depot in Toowoomba. Sam is a life-long bus driver, and Allan has found his calling driving school buses after shifting from urban buses and getting to know the students.
The winners each received a trophy and $1000 cash prize.
Head of Translink, Dr Deborah Hume said the Bus Driver of the Year Awards were all about recognising the efforts, skills and professionalism of some of the finest bus drivers in Queensland.
"To stand out amongst a field of more than 1300 nominations is a fantastic achievement and each finalist and their operator should be immensely proud,” Dr Hume said.
"Congratulations to all finalists and to our three winners, whose efforts and service have been recognised by their customers and is testament to the exceptional service and dedication provided to their passengers and community.
“To each and every driver, service delivery partner, and all the staff keeping our bus networks on the road, I would like to say a big thank you for all your hard work and effort when delivering public transport across the state.”
South East Queensland Bus Driver of the Year, Bella Tuimavave Leaupepe could not stop smiling when she was announced winner in her category.
"Wow, it's amazing, overwhelming and an honour for me to win this,” she said.
"From the bottom of my heart I would like to say thank you very, very much for nominating me and supporting me with this amazing award.
"Come and drive buses, it is a beautiful job."
School Bus Driver of the Year, Toowoomba’s Allan Humphrey was equally overwhelmed and grateful for the acknowledgement.
"I’m honestly shocked,” Mr Humphrey said.
“To me, I was just doing my job and being myself. It's what I would have thought any driver would do."
Regional Bus Driver of the Year, Sam Davison, also from Toowoomba was honoured by his award, thanking the community for their votes.
"I want to say thank you to the whole Darling Downs and Toowoomba region for nominating me at the start and following through and voting,” Mr Davison said.
“It's just fantastic, a great feeling.
“Being a bus driver is one of the best things I’ve done in my life, and I appreciate each and every passenger I have carried over the last 13 years."