Coventry bus driver to compete in UK driving final

Our bus driver finalists Danny Bayley (far right), fellow finalists Paul Jarvis and Lee Grantham
with (second from right) our Regional Operations Director (Midlands) Sarah East

Our National Express Coventry driver from north Warwickshire will battle it out to be crowned the UK’s best bus driver at a national driving competition next month.

23-year-old Danny Bayley from Warton, a small village in north Warwickshire, is excited to make his debut at the UK Bus Driver of the Year competition in Blackpool. He joins fellow National Express West Midlands drivers Lee Grantham and Paul Jarvis from Birmingham who make up our trio of finalists.

Lee won the UK Bus Driver of the Year title last year and Paul was the first ever National Express bus driver to win the national competition in 2012.

Danny is based at our depot near Pool Meadow Bus Station. He’s been with the company for over five years and usually drives the number 3 bus service between Arena Shopping Park and Warwickshire Shopping Park, the 8 between Allesley Park and Walsgrave, the 9 between Green Lane and University Hospital, or the 17 between Fenside and University Hospital.

We're now hoping that Danny will be bringing the trophy back to the West Midlands, following colleague Lee’s win in 2023.

Driver Danny said: 

“I’m very excited and proud to be representing Coventry and National Express in the UK Bus Driver of the Year final. 

“I’m looking forward to testing my skills against the country’s best bus drivers, and hopefully bringing back some silverware for Coventry depot!"

Sarah East, Regional Operations Director (Midlands), said:

“As always, our Bus Driver of the Year competition proved popular again this year and all 60 drivers that took part in the local depot heats enjoyed the camaraderie while demonstrating their skills during a tough competition.

“We’re really proud of Danny getting through to the UK Bus Driver of the Year final in what will be his first time on the national stage. He’ll be in very good company with our two former UK Bus Driver of the Year winners, Lee and Paul.

“They all did brilliantly in our local final and we’ve got high hopes for all three of them. We wish them all the best of luck for the UK final next month. Bring it home!”

60 bus drivers entered our Bus Driver of the Year competition, with local heats held at each of our depots. 17 drivers went on to the local final held in Walsall, where they completed a series of challenges, including driving safely through a chicane, safe distance driving when passing cyclists, bus simulation tests, hazard perception tests, and precise manoeuvres to measure their skills for their vehicle’s front overhang positioning, bay parking and pulling into bus stops.

The top three drivers now go through to the national final, where they’ll compete against other UK bus operators’ best drivers. The 2024 UK Bus Driver of the Year final takes place on 1 September 2024 in Blackpool, where the competition has been held since 1982.