Who is behind UK Coach Awards?

The awards organisers are UK Coach Awards Ltd.  This is a not-for-dividend company, independently owned, and set up solely for the benefit of the industry.  UK Coach Awards Ltd is part of Transport Events Group (TEG), the team behind the acclaimed UK Bus Awards scheme, which has been running since 1996.  Neither the UK Coach Awards, nor TEG, is associated with or owned by the publisher of a magazine addressing the coach industry.  We have media partnerships, available to any publisher of a coaching title, designed to ensure that the our scheme and the award winners receive the best possible coverage across the industry’s media.

What are the aims and objectives of the UK Coach Awards?

• To promote the very best in coach travel to the wider public.
• To recognise and encourage excellence and good practice amongst coach operators, their staff and suppliers.
• To encourage industry suppliers, destinations and attractions to be as welcoming as possible to coaches, their drivers and passengers. 

Aren't there lots of award schemes?

Yes, there are several in the wider field of coach tourism and group travel.  However, UK Coach Awards is unique in being the only scheme specially dedicated to coach operators and their staff.  We cover all aspects of coach operation, including charter, contract, coach touring and scheduled express operation. Our governance, independence and not-for-dividend status also mark us out as being different from other more commercial operations.

I’m a coach operator.  How do I enter the awards?

You can download an entry form using the links from the UKCA website at www.coachawards.co.uk or request a form by e-mail using This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by telephoning Pat or Margaret on 0330 010 3460.

What happens to my entry or nomination?

We will acknowledge your entry as soon as possible after it is received. It will then be judged alongside others in the same category by our panel of independent expert judges. From the entries, a list of finalists (usually up to five) will be selected for each category. You will be notified before the announcement of the list of finalists if your organisation, project or staff are on the list. 

How will my entry be assessed?

Each question on the nomination form for each category has a number of marks allocated to it (shown on the form). The information you provide will be marked by the judges for its clarity and content, and the total marks added up. You should therefore ensure that you answer the questions fully, though you MUST stay within the word limit. Before reaching a final verdict, the judges may undertake "mystery traveller" exercises for the coach operator and express operation award and may invite finalists in the Engineer of the Year and Young Coach Industry Professional Awards for interview.

How do the prizes work?

There will be three prizes in each category: a Gold Award, Silver Award and Bronze Award.  The Gold Award winner will receive a trophy and certificate, presented on stage at the Presentation Ceremony. Silver and Bronze winners will receive a certificate testifying to their success. All other finalists will also receive a certificate. Nobody named as a finalist leaves the Presentation Ceremony empty handed. The only exception to Gold/Silver/Bronze arrangement is the Award for Services to the Coach Industry, which is awarded annually by the Management Committee.

Where can I find more information, such as the categories and judging process for the UK Coach Awards?

You can find everything you need on this website. There are forms, guidance notes and full instructions about entering on the site.

I’m a supplier to the coach industry and would like to meet coach operators and promote my services.  How can I do that?

There will be lots of coach operators attending the Annual Presentation Ceremony.  Buying tickets to attend will give you the opportunity to meet coach operators at the pre-dinner drinks reception, and after the awards at the bar, as well as during the dinner itself.  You may also want to consider sponsoring some part of the scheme. 

I would like to promote my services, my hotel, my attraction or destination to coach operators, are there any sponsorship or promotion opportunities available?

We have a range of flexible sponsorship and supporter packages, designed for a range of businesses – with special low cost options for small or medium sized enterprises (SMEs). This can give you year-round exposure via our busy website, as well as brand-building and networking opportunities at our Presentation Ceremony. Please contact Steve Cresswell on 07976 458862, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

When and where is the 2018 UK Coach Awards taking place?

The Annual Presentation Ceremony takes on the evening of Thursday 11 May 2018 at a venue to be announced shortly in the North West of England. It is an evening event, which runs between 1845 and 0100.

So will the Awards be the same as previous years?

Essentially, yes.  The categories, entry and judging processes for the UK Coach Awards will be the same as previous years.  After the closing date, we will arrange for the independent judging process to take place. After this, the finalists for each category will be announced in late February. If you are a finalist, you will be notified in advance of the announcement.

What about accommodation?  Can we stay overnight?

We will be offering a special room rates for the night, inclusive of breakfast and VAT, at a range of hotels near our venue, to which transport will be provided. Bedrooms will need to be pre-booked by telephone directly with the hotel, using the telephone number and booking code that we'll provide for you when booking your tickets for the Presentation Ceremony.

How can I book tickets and accommodation to attend the Annual Presentation Ceremony?

You will be able to book tickets to the Awards online via this website, and a special button will appear on the home page when tickets are on sale. You can pay by credit or debit card or via your PayPal account if you prefer. 

We normally place the tickets on sale early in the New Year. After you have booked, you will be given the telephone number and booking code for the accommodation.  You can also telephone our friendly admin office on 0330 010 3460 or e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

I have a quick question – is there a telephone number or e-mail address?

Yes, please use the following contact details:

Telephone: 0330 010 3460.  E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.