Stagecoach rewards 2023/24 Eco-Driving Champions at Christopher Ball Memorial Awards

Stagecoach, the UK’s largest bus and coach operator, has recognised its UK Bus eco-driving champions through an annual awards scheme held in tribute to a former employee. 

Christopher Ball, Stagecoach Ecodriver Project Manager, sadly passed away in 2014. Christopher was instrumental in introducing the GreenRoad eco-driving technology to Stagecoach’s bus companies across the UK and was a respected and well-liked employee. 

As a tribute to Christopher, an awards scheme in his memory was introduced in 2015 and the company has recently awarded the 2021 winners. The Christopher Ball Memorial Awards are awarded to the best performing eco-driving depot and individual within Stagecoach UK Bus. 

Stagecoach West Scotland won the Best Operating Company UK award for their outstanding performance over the last 12 months. The depots in Ardrossan, Ayr, Arran, Dumfries, Cumbernauld, Kilmarnock and Stranraer employ 946 bus drivers and operate a fleet of 322 buses and coaches. 

Muhammad Mian from Aberdeen Depot was awarded the Best Driver accolade for having the best Green Road score across all Stagecoach drivers across the UK. 

Bow depot won the Best Depot for the second year running. 

The GreenRoad system is installed on all Stagecoach vehicles at the Group's bus companies. Using a traffic-light LED system on the dashboard, the system gives drivers instant feedback on their driving manoeuvres, encouraging smoother, safer, and more fuel-efficient driving. 

To date, use of GreenRoad’s system and Stagecoach’s comprehensive driver training programme has helped deliver a significant improvement in fuel efficiency and reduction in CO2 emissions across Stagecoach operations in the UK. 

Stagecoach West Scotland Managing Director, Fiona Doherty commented: “I’m delighted that our West Scotland team has won the prestigious 'Best Operating Company' award in the UK for the first time. This recognition is a well-deserved boost for the team, who have consistently gone above and beyond to achieve high performance in terms of safer, smoother, and more fuel-efficient driving on every journey they make. 

Ran Shribman, GreenRoad General Manager, EMEA, commented: “Stagecoach’s remarkable performance in this year’s Christopher Ball awards has not gone unnoticed. Their unwavering commitment to passenger safety and the well-being of their drivers serves as an inspiration. 

672 drivers achieved the peak performance GreenRoad score of zero. Muhammad Mian from Aberdeen depot who has been awarded the Best Driver accolade as he drove for 2252.63 hrs with a score of zero. Whilst Bow have achieved best standalone depot for the second year running. 

As their trusted driver safety partner for over a decade, we take great pride in honoring Christopher Ball’s memory and the enduring impact of the original GreenRoad system implementation. Once again, Stagecoach drivers have achieved outstanding results, thanks to their effective use of the GreenRoad system. I extend my commendations to all the winners for their remarkable achievements”.