Pictured: (l-r) With the Route One Operator Excellence Awards are Mike de Courcey and Bob Wildman

Pioneering bus and coach operator Travel de Courcey is celebrating a hat-trick of prestigious accolades.

Travel de Courcey picked up two titles at the premiere national awards for the coach and bus industry - hot on the heels of being recognised for its environmental initiatives in the West Midlands.

The Coventry-based firm was named Medium Bus Operator of the Year and its general manager Bob Wildman was awarded Bus Manager of the Year at the Route One Operator Excellence Awards.

The titles followed Bob being named a Green Leader by Sustainability West Midlands in recognition of him overseeing Travel de Courcey's £5 million investment in cleaner and more efficient vehicles. 

Mike de Courcey, managing director of Travel de Courcey, said: "I am absolutely delighted with these awards which recognise the standards that we have achieved and our pioneering use and investment in green technology for the benefit of our passengers and the environment.

"Winning the Medium Bus Operator of the Year puts us right at the forefront of bus operations in the UK."

The Route One Operator Excellence Awards, organised by leading trade magazine Route One, recognises excellence in the operation of coaches, buses and minibuses.

On awarding Medium Bus Operator of the Year, for companies with between 31 and 100 vehicles, the judges commented: "Travel de Courcey is a family-owned bus operator which stands out by virtue of its demonstrable desire to be at the forefront of bus operations.

"Mike de Courcey and his team not only seek out new opportunities but they clearly strive to be the best at what they do."

Bob, who has been general manager since 1988 and has 30 years of experience in the industry, said: "I feel extremely proud to be recognised by my peers for my involvement in an industry which I am passionate about, but could not have done it without the amazing team at Travel de Courcey."

The Bus Manager of the Year judges commented: "Bob Wildman is someone who has worked hard and long to bring a string of very significant Travel de Courcey initiatives to fruition - each geared to generating new revenue streams for the business.

"His passion and energy have been major factors in making things happen."

The Route One Operator Excellence Awards presentation was hosted by Mike Morgan, editor of Route One, and Garry Richardson, from BBC Radio 4 Sport, at the National Motorcycle Museum.

Morgan said: "Travel de Courcey and Bob Wildman were up against the best of the best in the country so this is therefore a well-deserved and a significant achievement."

Earlier this year, Travel de Courcey won the title of Green Business of the Year in the Coventry Telegraph Business Awards for its investment in electric buses and low-emission vehicles.