Third time lucky for Lothian driver at BDoY National Final

The 56th Bus Driver of the Year National Final held in Blackpool yesterday (Sunday 1 September) was won at the third attempt by Thomas Gilhooley of Lothian East Coast Buses.

Crowned UK Bus Driver of the Year 2024, Mr Gilhooley won the BDoY Trophy and £4,600 prize money. Aged 63, he has been a driver based at Musselburgh depot for over six-and-a-half years and is allocated to a variety of East Lothian routes. Although clearly benefiting from the experience of two previous BDoY National Finals, including third in 2023, he said: “It was a big surprise when my name was announced as winner.”

Phil Smith, Chairman of ROSCO, presented the awards at a ceremony in The Imperial Hotel where 300 supporters and family joined the competitors to hear the results. Mr Smith congratulated all who took part in the event and reminded his audience that ROSCO’s continuing support was because “safety is central to the competition.”

Runner-up was another regular participant, Raz Viswanathan of Go-Ahead London, winning the BDoY Trophy and £3,800.

In third place was Brian Mackie of Stagecoach East Scotland, fourth place went to Danny Bayley of National Express Coventry, while Clive Sutton of First North & West Yorkshire was fifth.

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.