First Bus driver finishes first to be named best in Britain

He’s the best bus driver in Britain.

Michael Leech, who works for First Bus in Yorkshire, was crowned UK Bus Driver of the Year at the national finals held in Blackpool over the weekend (Sunday 14 September).

Michael beat 100 drivers from 27 bus operators around the country to win the coveted title.

His success means he finished top among thousands of bus drivers who took part in regional heats to be selected for the finals.

He’s been a driver with First Bus for 26 years and is based at the operator’s Halifax depot.

Michael, 47, admits he was “stunned” when his name was read out. He said: “It’s still not really sunk in that I’ve won. I thought I’d made a couple of mistakes and some of the theory test was a bit obscure.”

His wife Karen and daughter Katie were at the ceremony to share in the surprise. Michael said: “I did get a sharp nudge on both sides to get out of my seat to collect the trophy.”

He said he didn’t sleep much on the first night after arriving home in Sowerby Bridge. “I was bouncing off the walls and my phone was constantly pinging with notifications from friends and colleagues.”

Michael has twice finished runner-up in the competition.

He was among six First Bus drivers from Yorkshire to reach the finals.  Drivers were judged in series of practical manoeuvres along a 3-mile course culminating in a trip down the Promenade at Blackpool, where they were required to pull in at stops within 2-4 inches of the kerb with eagle-eyed assessors marking accuracy.

Michael didn’t only win the overall title. He also scooped honours for the highest-placed driver from a depot in England and the best performer for First Bus, walking away with over £4,000 in prize money.

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