A McGill’s Midland Bluebird employee has been crowned Scotland’s best bus driver at the UK Bus Driver of the Year competition.

Gavin Justice, based in the McGill’s Larbert depot, finished runner-up in the overall UK contest at Sunday’s final in Blackpool. He also won the award for Best Driver based in Scotland.

The local driver’s success means that a McGill’s employee has claimed the title of Scotland’s best bus driver for the second year in a row.

Gavin was also joined in the UK's top 20 by two McGill's colleagues. Jan Bejgerowski, from the Johnstone depot, achieved an outstanding sixth-place finish in his first appearance at the competition, while fellow Larbert-based staff member, Michael Morrison, placed 17th after demonstrating excellent ability during the on-road tests.

The UK Bus Driver of the Year competition is the industry's leading national road safety and driving skills contest, and around 100 of the country's best drivers compete in the final every year.

Gavin said: "I'm absolutely delighted to be named the best driver from a Scottish depot and to have finished second in the UK contest.

"The standard of competition was incredibly high, so it is a tremendous honour to achieve this result. A lot of preparation went into the event, and I'm grateful for the encouragement I received from everyone at McGill's.

"I'm also very proud of how strongly the whole team performed. Jan did brilliantly to finish sixth in his first competition, and Michael showed once again the high standard of driving we have across the business."

UK best bus driver competition - Scottish competitors, (L-R) competition marshal John Black (Dundee), Daniel Javed (Johnstone), Michael Morrison (Larbert), Gavin Justice (Larbert), Jan Bejgerowski (Johnstone), Maciej Herman (Johnstone). (Pic. Contributed.)

placeholder image — UK best bus driver competition - Scottish competitors, (L-R) competition marshal John Black (Dundee), Daniel Javed (Johnstone), Michael Morrison (Larbert), Gavin Justice (Larbert), Jan Bejgerowski (Johnstone), Maciej Herman (Johnstone). (Pic. Contributed.)

Neil Dryden, HR, training & recruitment director at McGill’s Bus Group, said: “Gavin’s achievement is exceptional and everyone at the company is proud of his success. To be crowned Scotland’s best bus driver and finish second among the finest bus drivers in the UK is a tremendous reflection of his skill, professionalism and commitment.

“Jan’s sixth-place finish in his first year of competing was another fantastic achievement, while Michael’s top-20 result underlined the strength and depth of the team representing McGill’s.”

For more information on McGill’s bus services, visit the website.