Both of Edinburgh’s public transport operators, Edinburgh Trams and Lothian won in their categories at the 21st Annual National Transport Awards in London on Thursday evening.
Lothian won Bus Operator of the Year and Edinburgh Trams won Tram Operator of the Year. In the west McGill’s Bus Group won the Best Bus Service award for their Glasgow Nightbus.
The awards ceremony was held at the Westminster Park Plaza in London to recognise the accomplishments, dedication and efficiency in the UK transport industry.
The Local Transport Minister, Simon Lightwood MP, addressed the 600+ guests. He said: “I was delighted to attend the National Transport Awards tonight and celebrate the fantastic achievements of our transport heroes. Transport workers are the backbone of our economy – helping to drive growth and connect communities nationwide. As we deliver the biggest overhaul to transport in a generation, the work of each and every driver, engineer, manager and the countless others who keep our country moving will be vital”.
There was a large Edinburgh presence at the awards with former council officer, now Director of Public Realm at The Crown Estate, Daisy Narayanan, MBE on the Judging Panel, and one of Lothian’s drivers, Thomas Fair, being commended in the frontline Employee of the Year category.
Transport and Environment Convener, Cllr Stephen Jenkinson said: “I’m incredibly proud that Lothian Buses and Edinburgh Trams have won Bus and Tram Operator of the Year at the National Transport Awards 2024 in London yesterday evening.
“The fact that our city took home the top prize in both categories is testament to the quality of our integrated, green and affordable transport network which serves our visitors and residents day in and day out.
“Our bus and tram services are key to creating a better connected, environmentally friendly and sustainable city for all – and to meeting our ambitious 2030 climate targets. I’m clear that improving and expanding these networks remains a key priority for the capital. We’re very fortunate to have such talented, dedicated and hardworking colleagues working to keep Edinburgh moving and they have my sincere thanks.”
Lea Harrison, Managing Director Edinburgh Trams said: “To be recognised by colleagues from across light rail, and the wider transport sector, is a real achievement and the entire team can be proud of their efforts to secure these prestigious titles.
“The awards also reflect the continued popularity of our trams with both local residents and the millions of visitors the city attracts every year. The National Transport Awards also saw Lothian Buses named Bus Operator of the Year, marking a double win for our great city’s exceptional public transport network.”
Edinburgh Trams was named Most Improved System at the Global Light Rail Awards on Wednesday of this week.
Sarah Boyd, Managing Director of Lothian said: “I am absolutely delighted that Lothian have been recognised as Bus Operator of the Year at the National Transport Awards.
“Our people make Lothian a great place to work, and this award is a testament to their hard work and dedication to ‘getting it right’ in delivering for our customers on a daily basis.
“This award belongs to them, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank every one of our people for their passion, commitment and loyalty.”
At the event in London, Lothian Driver Thomas Fair was also highly commended in the Frontline Employee category for his fast actions when a customer went into labour on his bus.
Anthony Smith, Chair of the Judging Panel said: “What a 12 months! A new Government, epic weather, an upcoming budget, bus and rail reform, tough times for money people, riots, staff shortages and spiralling costs. Through all that, transport folk have played a critical role in keeping the country’s infrastructure moving smoothly. From maintaining roads and airports to ensuring buses, trains, and ferries operate efficiently, their dedication is evident. Amidst the daily challenges, they’ve consistently innovated, embraced diversity, and moved forward.
“So, a big thank you to all the dedicated transport people who play a crucial role in keeping our nation functioning smoothly. Your hard work and commitment ensure that essential goods are delivered, people can commute to work, and the economy remains operational. Your efforts do not go unnoticed and are truly appreciated.
“The National Transport Awards are a celebration of that human endeavour. Well done all, whether you won, were a runner up or entered. Now start your engines for National Transport Awards 2025!”
Full list of winners and commendations
- Regional Transport Authority of the Year
Winner: Liverpool City Region
Highly Commended: HITRANS - Exemplary approach to Active Travel & Public Space
Winner: Leeds City Council: Leeds City Square
Highly Commended: Gloucestershire County Council: Gloucestershire Cycle spine - Best Bus Service
Winner: McGill’s Bus Group: Glasgow Nightbus
Highly Commended: Brighton & Hove Buses: Regency Route - Ferry Operator of the Year
Wightlink - Excellence in Road Safety, Traffic Management and Enforcement
Winner: Stagecoach South East: Service Delivery Initiatives in Kent & East Sussex –
On Board CEOs & Kent Streetworks
Highly Commended: Transport for West Midlands – M5 Junction 1 Works - Airport of the Year
Winner: London Stansted Airport
Highly Commended: Glasgow Airport - Design, Engineering & Construction Project of the Year
Winner: Transport for Greater Manchester: Stockport Interchange
Highly Commended: National Highways, HS2, Balfour Beatty VINCI, HW Martin,
ARMAC, McCanns and supporting organisations: A452/M42 Emergency Bridge
Demolition
Highly Commended: London Gatwick Airport: redevelopment of London Gatwick’s
railway station - Exemplary contribution to Net Zero
Winner: London Borough of Hackney: Hackney’s Boroughwide Transport Projects
Contribution to Net Zero
Highly Commended: Dundee City Council: The Fourth Hub and Retractable
Chargers - Best Practice in Diversity, Inclusivity and Accessibility (10)
Winner: Brighton & Hove Buses – trailblazers in accessibility
Highly Commended: Ideas Ltd: Inclusively Designed Customer Touchpoints for
Elizabeth Line Surface Stations - Campaign of the Year
Winner: Transport for Wales – ‘No Second Chances’
Highly Commended: Transport for London: Making the Elizabeth Line the transport
choice at Heathrow - Digital and Technology Excellence in Transport
Winner: Transport for West Midlands: Drone Network
Highly Commended: Transport for London: Smart Stations - Frontline Employee of the Year
Winner: David Copley, First Bus
Highly Commended:
▪ Ella Totterdell, Executive Assistant, Hitachi Rail
▪ Thomas Fair, Bus Driver, Lothian Buses:
▪ Vicki Paull, Technician – Glasgow Subway Fleet, Stadler Rail Service UK
▪ Daniel Sprought, Bus Driver, Stagecoach East Midlands
▪ Ian Tyler, Bus Driver, Aberdare Depot, Stagecoach South Wales
▪ Rachel Hart, Marketing Assistant, Stagecoach West Scotland
▪ Lynne Harrison, Customer Intelligence Support Officer, Transport for West
Midlands - Community Champion of the Year
Winner: Richard Baker, MTR Elizabeth line (MTREL) - Best Alliance / Collaboration of the Year
Winner: East Midlands Railway (EMR), London Luton Airport (LLA) and Luton Rising –
Working in collaboration to launch the Luton Airport Express
Highly Commended: Translink and Golden Thread Gallery: York Street Station –
transforming North Belfast through Transport & Art Collaboration - Bus Operator of the Year
Winner: Lothian Buses - Rail Operator of the Year
Winner: Crossrail/Elizabeth Line
Highly Commended: Greater Anglia - Tram Operator of the Year
Winner: Edinburgh Trams - Outstanding Contribution to Transport
Dame Bernadette Kelly DCB - Lifetime Contribution to Transport
Alan Benson MBE
PHOTO Alan Simpson
Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.
