Lothian, a bus operator in West Lothian, has been awarded the prestigious title of Bus Operator of the Year at the National Transport Awards held in London. This esteemed award, open to all bus operators in the UK and Ireland, is a recognition of Lothian’s exceptional performance over the past year. In 2023 alone, Lothian successfully completed 110 million customer journeys, which included services via Lothian Country in West Lothian.
Sarah Boyd, the Managing Director of Lothian, expressed her delight at receiving the award, attributing the success to the hard work and dedication of the entire team. She acknowledged the commitment of the staff in delivering excellent service to customers on a daily basis. The award also highlighted Lothian Driver Thomas Fair, who was commended in the Frontline Employee category for his swift response when a customer faced a medical emergency on his bus.
Councillor Stephen Jenkinson, Transport and Environment Convener, commended Lothian Buses and Edinburgh Trams for winning the Bus and Tram Operator of the Year awards. He emphasised the pivotal role of these services in creating a well-connected, sustainable city and meeting climate targets. Lothian’s outstanding performance in 2023 led to a 17% increase in customer journeys and a dividend of £3.2 million returned to shareholders.
In addition to the Bus Operator of the Year award, Lothian was recognised with the Gold Employer Recognition Scheme Award from the Ministry of Defence and secured the silver award in the Employer of the Year category at the Scottish Veterans Awards. Demonstrating their commitment to sustainability, Lothian announced a substantial investment in electric double-deck buses to align with their ‘Driving Towards Net Zero’ strategy.
The achievements of Lothian reflect their dedication to providing high-quality, eco-friendly transportation services while prioritising the well-being of their employees and passengers. The bus operator’s commitment to excellence and innovation has positioned them as a leading force in the public transport sector.