Most recently we won 'Top Independent Bus Operator' at the 2016 UK Bus Awards, in addition we were also awarded the Bronze award in the prestigous 'UK Bus Operator of the Year' category. In 2017 and 2018 we won the 'Silver Award in the same category at the UK Bus Awards and the 'Environmental Impact' category at the 2017 Midlothian and East Lothian Business Awards.
The UK Bus Awards 2016 judges made the following comments-
We liked this small, but high quality bus operation, not afraid to invest in new vehicles and the latest technology to deliver a better experience for its customers.
Prentice Coaches is a forward thinking innovative company that believes in running modern, eco-friendly buses, kept in immaculate condition, coupled with an old fashioned customer care ethos delivered by staff who take immense pride in delivering 21st century transport to our community.
We are immensely proud of our 'Award Winning' record which is listed below -
2019 :
Winners - Silver - Top Independent Bus Operator 2019 - UK Bus Awards
2018 :
Winners - Silver - Top Independent Bus Operator 2018 - UK Bus Awards
2017 :
Winner - Environmental Impact - Midlothian & East Lothian Business Awards
Winners - Silver - Top Independent Bus Operator 2017 - UK Bus Awards
2016 :
Runner Up - Best Bus Service 2016 - Scottish Transport Awards
Winners - Gold - Top Independent Bus Operator 2016 - UK Bus Awards
Winners - Bronze - UK Bus Operator of the Year 2016 - UK Bus Awards
<2015 :
Finalist - Small Fleet Bus Operator of the Year 2015 - Route ONE Awards
Finalists - Scottish Family Business of the Year 2015 & Transport Family Business of the Year 2015 - UK Family Business Awards
2014 :
Runner up - Scottish Business of the Year 2014 - Scottish Chambers of Commerce
Finalist - Small Fleet Coach Operator of the Year 2014 & Innovation of the Year 2014 - Route ONE Awards
Finalist - Top Independent Bus Operator 2014 - UK Bus Awards
2013 :
Winner - Small Fleet Coach Operator of the Year - Route ONE Awards
Winner - Best Family Business 2013 - Mid & East Lothian Chamber of Commerce
2012 :
Winner - Medium sized Coach Operator of the Year - Route ONE Awards
2011 :
Finalist - Medium sized Coach Operator of the Year - Route ONE Awards
The judging process for all these awards is extremely high involving indepth submissions, interviews, access to our maintenence documents, visits from the judges and even 'mystery passengers' to ensure we meet the exacting criteria demanded by the judging panels.
What the Route ONE judges said in 2012: "The winner shares much in common with the four other superb finalists. It believes in having a strong brand which is reinforced by fully-uniformed drivers. It regularly buys new coaches, keeping a youthful age profile. It puts great emphasis on customer service, ensuring reliability and punctuality.
However, what impressed most was that this is a company that demonstrates that it's the small things that matter... attention to details that make a big difference."
THe 2012 award was presented to us by Mike Morgan, Editor of the magazine, Andrew Sanderson from Squire Sanders and Maggie Philbin, former Tomorrows World presenter.The after dinner entertainment was the fantastic Rory Bremner!!
What the Route ONE judges said in 2013: Standing still is not considered an option by our winner. It has innovated and invested with the best of them, adding live tracking enhanced by a mobile phone App, while adding a colourful QR code to its vehicles. It has seen truly impressive organic growth as a consequence. However, what singles out this operator is the way in which the personal pride expressed by its owner is translated into excellence in all aspects of the business.
The 2013 award was presented to us by former BBC newsreader Angela Rippon, Route One editor Mike Morgan and award sponsors Volant Commercials Mark Baker.
You can see how we found out we had won by watching the clips below