Experience rewarded at BDoY National Final

The 57th Bus Driver of the Year National Final on Sunday 14th September was won by Michael Leech of First Bus North & West Yorkshire, a regular at the Blackpool event.

Crowned UK Bus Driver of the Year 2025, Michael won the BDoY Trophy and £4,100 prize money. Aged 46, he competed against 100 other finalists who represented 27 different operating companies. He has been a driver based at Skircoat depot Halifax for 25 years and is allocated to local bus routes. Clearly overcome with the enormity of his success and struggling to put into words his feelings he shared the limelight with his wife and daughter and nevertheless agreed to an interview with ITV This Morning.

John Sheehy, Chief Executive of The Transport Benevolent Fund, presented the awards at a ceremony in The Imperial Hotel where 300 supporters and family joined the competitors to hear the results. Mr Sheehy congratulated all who took part in the event and reminded his audience of the benefits available through TBF membership.”

Runner-up by a margin of just six points, Nick Perry of Go North East won the BDoY Trophy and £3,000.

In third place was Maciej Herman of McGill’s Bus Group, while fourth place went to Simon Vincent of Plymouth City Bus. Fifth place driver David Nairn represented further success for First Bus North & West Yorkshire.

Joe Mackie, Chairman of the UK Bus Driver of the Year Association, congratulated all the trophy winners and thanked the dedicated volunteers who make the competition possible and the industry sponsors for their generous financial support.