The hunt to find Britain’s best loved bus driver begins

Arriva bus drivers across the UK are gearing themselves up in thehunt for Britain's first ever Bus Driver Idol.

Arriva, which operates bus services in the North East, NorthWest and South East of England, Yorkshire, the Midlands, Wales andScotland, this week launches the initiative which aims to find astar amongst its legions of bus drivers.

A panel of judges will pick contestants – nominated byArriva customers – who will be assessed on various criteriaincluding driving ability, professionalism and friendliness.Regional winners will go forward to a national final where theywill battle it out to see who can become Britain's first ever BusDriver Idol.

Catherine Mason, customer services and marketing director,said:

A bus driver has a very important job and may have toreact to all kinds of situations, from coping with trafficcongestion to giving excellent service to customers. We receivewonderful letters from customers who have been touched by the levelof support their local bus driver gives them.

As part of our 'Going your way' campaign to encouragepeople to uses buses more often, timetable information and discountvouchers will be distributed to 2.5 million households nationwide,so our message is simple – hop on a bus and find a Bus DriverIdol!

Customers can nominate their Bus Driver Idol by contacting theArriva Bus Driver Idol hotline on: 0121 362 4070.

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