Trentbarton driver steers her way to national awards success

A driver for bus company trentbarton has been crowned the best in the UK at a national industry awards.

Karen Miles was named Top National Bus Driver in the UK Bus and Coach Awards 2021.

Karen, who drives the Red Arrow service between Derby and Nottingham, is only the second ever female winner of the UK bus industry’s premier driving award in its 26-year history.

She follows fellow Red Arrow driver Carole Hind’s breakthrough win in 2015.

Before becoming a Red Arrow driver in 2019, Karen drove the Mickleover and the Royal Derby services.

The UK Bus Awards citation said: “Karen was given a perfect score in her last company mystery customer audit, thoroughly impressing with how smart she looked, how well she drove and how friendly and welcoming she was.

“Seeing how the pandemic was affecting her colleagues, she has been studying mental health and well-being to become a mental health champion and was given a Covid British Empire Medal in the Queen’s birthday honours list.”

Mark Yexley, chair of the UK Bus and Coach Awards, said: “We would like to add our congratulations to Karen for winning the Top National Bus Driver Award.

“It was a strongly contested category with many entries, but Karen stood out both for being an outstanding driver and ambassador, and also for the work she has done in the mental health field. A very worthy winner.”

Karen, who lives in Littleover and was presented with her BEM in August, said: “I am surprised and very chuffed. I do believe it’s for the hard work that everyone at trentbarton does. We all need each other and together we’re such a big team.

“I love my driving job. I get to meet so many different people every day and have a laugh with them. I love the little conversations and how I start their day off right, taking them to work or to meet family and friends, and finish their trips right too.”

Jeff Counsell, managing director of trentbarton, said: “Karen has been an absolute inspiration to all of us during the pandemic and for as long as she has worked at trentbarton.

“She has been an incredible help to her colleagues and is much loved by her customers, who can now boast that they are driven by the best driver in the UK.

“Congratulations to Karen, we’re very proud of you and your achievements.”