National Express West Midlands’ bus drivers to join UK driving competition

Bus drivers Lee Granthan, Liam Manuell and David Mulrooney will represent National Express West Midlands at next month’s UK Bus Driver of the Year competition. 

14 bus drivers from nine different depots were recently put through their paces in the region’s biggest bus operator’s local qualifying round. They completed a series of driving challenges, a bus simulator test and they also undertook a hazard perception test, with Lee from Acocks Green, Liam from Wolverhampton and David from West Bromwich receiving the top scores on the day.

The national final takes place on 3 September 2023 in Blackpool, where the competition has been held since 1982.

This isn’t Lee’s first stint at the Bus Driver of the Year final, as he secured a spot in the UK competition last year too. Lee said:

“I’m over the moon to be going to the final again. This is the award every bus driver wants to win, so thank you to the training team for supporting us to take part.” 

Jenny Tocknell, UK Head of Engineering and Operational Safety at National Express, said: 

“National Express West Midlands drivers are some of the safest in the country. They play a vital role with the highest standards of service for our customers, helping them get to where they need to be. 

“We’re really proud that we’ve got three brilliant drivers taking part in this year’s UK final and would like to wish the best of luck to Lee, Liam and David for the 3 September. We are all keeping our fingers crossed!” 

National Express West Midlands’ is hoping one of their drivers brings home the trophy, having recently celebrated 130 Master Drivers and 15 Elite Drivers at the company. 

The company’s award-winning Master Driver programme recognises excellence in driving, measuring the performance of drivers and identifying those with an impeccable safety record and outstanding driving and customer service skills. 

Master Drivers must have achieved a grade A on their National Express West Midlands’ driver profile, 100% in their most recent driving evaluation, completed the Institute of Advanced Motorists course, and have a clear record. 

This year the company introduced a new tier called Elite Drivers, celebrating those Master Drivers who demonstrate high performance year after year. With 17 years of dedicated service, Danielle Weekes recently became the company’s first-ever female Elite Driver. 

Danielle’s journey is testament to her hard work, positive work ethic, and unwavering commitment to keep developing her skills. And not only that, but she’s been tackling gender stereotypes along the way too. 

In the early stages of her career, Danielle says she faced sceptics who questioned her capabilities as a female bus driver. Recalling those moments, she said: 

"Passengers would approach me and doubt my abilities, questioning if I knew what I was doing." 

Remaining calm and composed, drawing strength from her training and the knowledge that she had successfully passed the required tests, Danielle took it all in her stride and has since expressed a profound sense of satisfaction at achieving Elite Driver status: 

"Being able to prove people wrong brings me great joy. Looking back at those situations and receiving Elite Driver status makes me truly believe I have done just that. My mum is my biggest supporter, and she is immensely proud of how far I've come in my career." 

A video with some of National Express West Midlands’ Master Drivers drivers talking about what they enjoy most about being a bus driver is available to view here.

To find out more about careers with National Express West Midlands visit careers.nationalexpress.com.