SOUTHERN bus companies are in the running for seven prestigious UK Bus Awards this year.

Next week they will be up against organisations and individuals from across the country, in an attempt to bring the awards home.

The awards recognise excellence in the industry, whether a single person’s achievements or big projects, and Go South Coast in the running for five of these seven awards.

Two of its operations, Bluestar and Morebus, are shortlisted for the Sustained Marketing Excellence Award.

Its Southern-Vectis operation at Newport, Isle of Wight, is up for Top National Bus Depot, and morebus driver Robbie Bartle is in the final of Top National Bus Driver category.

Go South Coast is also in the running for Top Shire Operator, and local firm Yellow Buses is in the running for the Community Award with BUSter’s Beach Party, which was a free event that celebrated the company’s focus on the communities it serves.

Hampshire County Council has been shortlisted in the Making Buses a Better Choice category for their new Winchester Bus Station.

Mark Yexley, chairman of the UK Bus Awards, said: “It’s a great honour to support, celebrate and reward all the remarkable work that’s undertaken by transport teams up and down the country.”

The finals take place at Troxy, London on November 20.