Bus Driver of the Year 2021 cancelled for second year running

The organisers of the UK’s Bus Driver of the Year (BDoY) competition have decided to cancel the event for the second year in succession. They point out that the Covid-19 pandemic meant the 2020 national final could not go ahead, and the ongoing uncertainty regarding social distancing together with the challenges faced by the industry has resulted in the 2021 event scheduled for 6 September also being cancelled. 

BDoY’s council has now confirmed that the next national event will be on 11 September 2022 in Blackpool. 

Chairman Joe Mackie says: “Although we planned to hold the event in 2021, the devastating consequences of the pandemic have combined to present too much uncertainty for an event that not only attracts 500 people to a dinner and results presentation but requires regional heats to be held at a time when operators are battling to come to terms with unpredictable staff absences, changing travel patterns and the national bus strategy.

“Bus companies need all their management energies and cash reserves to rebuild healthy businesses.

“Bus Driver of the Year has the support of all the major bus groups, and the National Final is an opportunity for operators to present their best drivers to the public and to afford them the chance to win valuable prizes and claim the accolade of UK Bus Driver of the Year.