STAGECOACH Cumbria & North Lancashire is celebrating after being named the best regional operator at the 2019 UK Bus Awards.

The company picked up Gold in the Top Shire Operator category at a ceremony in London on Tuesday.

The victory meant it was also eligible to contest the ‘best in show’ category for overall Best Operator of the Year 2019, where it achieved an outstanding Silver award.

Stagecoach Cumbria & North Lancashire achieved high customer satisfaction scores in 2018 and put this down to a strong focus on partnership, innovation and exceptional operational delivery.

The team also works hard with communities to help vulnerable people back onto the bus and assist families in need. Innovation within the company, particularly in the field of health and wellbeing, has also enhanced and improved staff engagement.

Mark Whitelocks, managing director at Stagecoach Cumbria & North Lancashire, said: “It is a huge achievement for us to pick up the award for the Top Shire Operator - it recognises us as the best-performing operator outside of the UK’s major cities.

“I’m also just as delighted about the overall Silver award because the standard of the competition is so high, and we’re up there with the very best in the country. It is testament to the hard work of all our staff delivering the excellent services our customers receive. Over 21 million customers each year enjoy using our services and we look forward to many more choosing to travel on our award winning bus services across Cumbria & North Lancashire.”

As a nationwide organisation, Stagecoach UK picked up 13 gongs at the UK Bus Awards on Tuesday. The company’s outstanding performance saw them take home four gold awards, five silver and four bronze.

Mark Yexley, Chairman of the UK Bus Awards, said: “This is a tremendous performance from Stagecoach, everyone should be so proud of their achievements. The UK Bus Awards is all about recognising excellence and inspiring teams to deliver a first-class experience, something Stagecoach UK Bus are clearly doing. Congratulations to all the teams and individuals involved.”