Date: 29 Sep 2011
Mark Lawry, from Hamworthy won the Go Ahead Trophy at the annual Bus Driver Of The Year Competition recently held in Blackpool. Mark was awarded the trophy and £500 for coming 1st place out of all the Go Ahead Group owned bus company entries.
He also reached 7th place in the national contest, which saw the 117 entrants facing both theory and practical driving tests, including an obstacle course with a traffic cone slalom and an exact speed test. Only drivers with a 1 year accident free record can enter for the annual competition.
Mark, 42, who has worked for Wilts & Dorset for 4 years and is now a mentor for recently qualified bus drivers, said: “I was delighted to reach such a high score against so many of the very experienced drivers who enter the competition every year. Last year I was placed 44th in the overall competition. I hope to do even better next year!”
Ed Wills, Divisional Director for the Go-Ahead Group bus operators in the south, congratulated Mark and presented him with the trophy, commenting “It is a fiercely contended championship so Mark can hold the trophy with pride having reached the top ten".