TRANSDEV – which runs Keighley Bus Company – has won recognition for a campaign that promoted safe travel during the pandemic.

Its Clean, Safe, Ready to Go initiative has scooped a top honour in the UK Bus Awards.

The company received the Build Back Better Award, which was introduced to recognise schemes designed to help bus operators recover from the impact of the pandemic.

Judges praised Transdev for its "extensive, positive messaging" about travelling by bus.

The Clean, Safe, Ready to Go campaign was launched in May last year.

It included a two-minute video following a journey as seen through the eyes of a customer, showing measures in place such as extra cleaning.

Plus over 15,000 specially-designed face coverings were sold online and at bus stations, raising £5,000 for NHS Charities Together.

Transdev chief executive officer, Alex Hornby, said: "This award is dedicated to the huge effort of our colleagues, who – over the past two years in particular – have kept our customers moving. We have never lost our smile, vision or commitment to deliver each day, nor our determination to strengthen our long-term future as we continue to build a growing, innovative and customer-centric business.

"Our Clean, Safe, Ready to Go campaign summed-up our positive approach against the unjustified perceptions of bus travel. It was more than just a few words – it defined our way of doing things as we reassured our customers – and we are proud that it became a benchmark of how to operate and present yourself in a pandemic.

"Throughout this time, we also never forgot about how we approached the future. We have grown our business by 20 per cent over the past two years and have helped create a positive future for the bus across the north of England.

"It’s a huge honour to be part of a team that wins awards even in these often strange and challenging times. It is an incredible team. They all completely deserve this recognition on the national stage, with my appreciation – as ever – for a job well done!"

Awards judges also highlighted Transdev’s successful expansion in July this year when the company bought the former Yorkshire Tiger business to form a new West Yorkshire-based subsidiary, Team Pennine.

This year’s UK Bus Awards ceremony took place remotely. It was co-hosted by BBC News presenter Jane Hill and BBC Breakfast weather forecaster Carol Kirkwood.