Yellow Buses driver Marks Nobrega has been named the country’s best bus driver from an independent operator at the prestigious Bus Driver of the Year Finals.
The finals were held in Blackpool and Yellow Buses had two entrants with Marks coming ninth overall out of 82 and was top in the independent category.
Those taking part had to show their skill in parking a bus within millimetres and also had to sit an exam.
David Squire, Yellow Buses’ managing director attended the event and said: “Our drivers performed superbly and Marks was within a whisker of being placed higher because there was little to separate finishing just above him.
“There are around 100,000 bus drivers in the country so to have two of ours perform so well is something we are very proud of.”
The bus drivers had to complete a difficult manoeuvre followed by a circuit. To be in with a chance of winning, the competitors had to stop with precision at a number of bus stops along a three mile course, where marshals were stationed, judging the drivers’ signalling and positioning.
David added: “It is always an extremely difficult series of tests but it brings national recognition to Yellow Buses.”
Stuart White, the second entrant from Yellow Buses, came 46th after making his first appearance in Blackpool.
Marks received a trophy and a cash prize for his top ten finish.