A KEIGHLEY bus driver could be 'up for the cup'.

Transdev, which runs Keighley Bus Company, has revived a scheme that salutes drivers who go the extra mile.

And it is asking passengers to nominate a deserving candidate.

A Pride of the North cup will be awarded monthly, together with a certificate and prize.

In addition to positive customer feedback, contenders will also need to have a good work attendance record and top marks from Greenroad, an electronic vehicle and driver performance monitoring system fitted to every Transdev bus.

Alex Hornby, Transdev's chief executive officer, says: "We originally commissioned our Pride of the North trophy in 2019, to encourage the highest standards of customer care amongst our driving teams.

"Our first winner back then was the late and much-missed Billy Crute. Billy was an excellent driver and ambassador for our company and won praise from many customers for his polite and helpful approach to customer care and his sheer enthusiasm.

"After an enforced break due to the pandemic, we’re bringing back our trophy. Skilled and safe driving, with a friendly welcome and excellent customer care, are the qualities we’re looking for.

"It’s our way to show our commitment to looking after and thanking our colleagues for their hard work and rewarding the best customer service.

"For us, the most important thing is positive feedback from our customers – that’s why we encourage everyone who has an exceptional journey with us to nominate their driver by email. With so many excellent drivers across our depots, it’ll be a tough challenge to select a winner each month."

Winners will receive the award onboard their bus, in front of passengers, from Mr Hornby and company operations director Vitto Pizzuti.

The initiative is being supported by The Academy, Transdev’s network of in-house training centres, which is offering extra support and advice covering smooth and safe driving, plus tips on good customer care.

To nominate a driver, email PrideoftheNorthCup@transdevbus.co.uk.

Transdev is currently operating a cut-price deal on its buses which means passengers across the company's network pay no more than £2 for any single journey, until March 31.

Single fares for trips wholly within West Yorkshire had already been capped at £2.

But the promotion was last month extended to all Transdev one-way journeys across Yorkshire and beyond.

The venture meant that on some services, fares were slashed by as much as 87 per cent.