This category is design to recognise and reward excellence and high standards in the delivery of essential support services to coach operators. It focuses on products or suppliers which help operators to be:

• more efficient
• more environmentally friendly
• more customer-focused
• more reliable

The Winners: EvoBus (UK) Limited, for after sales and engineering support services

Evobus imports and sells the Mercedes and Setra ranges of coach to the UK, and were nominated by a number of operators who praised their standards of service and support very highly.

As one operator told us, “They go out of their way to solve problems. I get regular phone calls just to see how things are going - including the occasional phone call from the Director of Sales, but no sales pitch." He added, "How refreshing.”

Runners Up: Gauntlet Risk Management, for risk management services

Busandcoachinsurance.com is a trading name of Gauntlet Risk Management,one of the most recognisable names in minibus, bus & coach insurance market in the UK. Gauntlet offers dedicated account mangers for single vehicles, mini-fleets, and larger operators with multiple locations, and won praise for its standards of service and flexible approach.

Highly Commended

MAN Truck & Bus, Manchester

Importers of MAN and Neoplan buses and coaches into the UK, MAN's Manchester new £9m facility offers new, purpose built, state-of-the-art facilities. MAN were nominated for this award by several operators who were hugely impressed by the service standards and facilities.

As one client who nominated them told us, "No bull. They tell you how it is."

Distinctive Systems Ltd, York

Distinctive Systems is an independent software vendor specialising in the development of products for coach and bus companies. The company was established over 25 years ago, and has since supplied more than 1,750 systems to operators throughout the United Kingdom, Ireland, the United States, Canada, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.

Last year's winner, Distinctive Systems once again attracted nominations from highly satisfied customers who praised their standards of service, support and innovation. "Nothing is too much trouble," one operator told us.  

Towergate Chapman Stevens, Byfleet

Another long established risk management business,Towergate Chapman Stevens were nominated by operators from around the country, who praised the quality of advice and high standards of services

Who could be nominated?

Any individual, business or organisation, not themselves the holder of an operator’s license, providing services or products to coach operators.

… and by whom?

Readers of Coach and Bus Week were asked to nominate suppliers whom they believe qualify for this category, and to give their reasons for the nomination.

Criteria and Entry Requirements

A successful nomination for this award needs to demonstrate that the supply of a product or a service achieves one or more of the following:

• improves the image of the coach
• stimulates interest in, or desire for, coach services
• improves the efficiency of the industry
• reduces the environmental impact of the industry

This award will be made for an product or service which, in the opinion of the judges, most contributes to the improvement of the coach product.