(10 Aug 2022, 7:05 pm)Adrian wrote Congratulations for what? Having the most desirable back for colleagues to pat?

Whilst I acknowledge some of this being posted may be an attempt to measure that perceived negativity towards one operator, I've personally held the same opinion on industry awards for years, and I doubt it'll change soon. My real gripe with them is that they're merely an excuse for networking (and a piss up) of senior people across the industry. 

These awards deliver little, if anything, for customers, and they actually fail to recognise the bulk of people employed by the industry - drivers. Yet there's two categories for managers and two for engineers. Why is that the case?

Appreciate that the two new awards can be an individual, but that individual may be competing with a company or team, again limiting any opportunity for recognition of the bulk of any operator's workforce.

Would the time, effort and money put into these awards, not be better spent on initiatives to recognise and award people who work for you? Again, I appreciate that some operators (incl. GNE) already do this, but is it good enough and does it work as enough of an incentive for workers to go the extra mile etc?

I've not really looked at the Route One Awards themselves before, but I managed to find some information about the nomination process, which makes interesting reading: https://www.route-one.net/awards/routeon...announced/


Like most other industry awards, the Route One Awards are decided on completely behind closed doors. In this case dealers, manufacturers and suppliers are the only ones eligible to make a nomination, then it is voted on by a panel of 'experts' - not one being an actual customer, of course. 

The actual submission against criteria, if it's like other industries, is submitted by the company that is nominated. So awards are often based on who can say the right thing. The link including the criteria etc seems to be hidden away here: https://routeoneawards.evessiocloud.com/...e/category

"So for Large Bus Operator of the Year, this is defined as:
This category focuses on exceptional performance of large bus operators, with evidence to show exemplary service in every respect.
Eligibility for this category is strictly dependent on the total number of buses operated, not overall fleet size.

Evidence should show:

• Details of how the business has positioned itself over the 12 months to 17 June 2022 in regard to quality, innovation, training and customer service
  
• Proof of achievements in those key areas over that period."
  

So despite the key measure of success in any of the criteria listed there being the customer, and how satisfied they are, it's instead being judged by a panel of people who are so far detached from the operation that it's unreal.

• Joan Aitken OBE, former Traffic Commissioner for Scotland
  
• Richard Delahoy, Transport Consultant
  
• Steve Dewhurst, former Managing Director of Volvo Bus
  
• Kevin Middleton, former engineering consultant
  
• Peter Nash, former Head of Commercial Policy for Stagecoach UK Bus.
  
• Mark Fowles OBE, former Managing Director of Nottingham City Transport
  
• Norman Thomas, former Product Engineering Manager for Volvo Bus.
  

As you can see, a nice and diverse panel. Largely consisting of ageing white men. Is that representative of the customer base, or shall we just admit now that it's nothing more than a back patting exercise.

I'm only surprised everyone's favourite designer wasn't on the panel. He might have even fetched his trousers this time.

I don't have a problem with industry awards. The National Rail awards are the most egregious to be honest, as are some of the call centre ones. 

My main bugbear is the question of self awareness of some of the applicants.

If I was in charge of a company which presided over a range of cuts over a 18 montb period, industrial disputes, depot closures and financial loses, the last thing I'd be thinking of is putting in a submission as large bus operator of the year.