The 2024 BusNSW Driver of the Year Awards were presented at the BusNSW 2024 End of Year Event on 2 December.
Greater Sydney
Winner: Luca Gerotto from U-Go Mobility
Luca is renowned at U-Go’s Kingsgrove depot for his kindness, professionalism and outstanding customer service. Customers have described him as “the friendliest bus driver ever” and a “compassionate and caring person,” delivering “five-star service.”
Luca’s positive attitude extends beyond his work on the road. He’s considered a joy to work with at the depot, always supporting his colleagues and fostering a team spirit.
Luca’s commitment to safety and care is evident in his driving. Customers have praised how he ensures everyone’s safety, particularly elderly and mobility-challenged passengers, by waiting until they are seated before moving. His pride in helping people shines through in his own words: “When I drive, I’m helping people get to their destination, and I love supporting my passengers.”
With seven years in the industry, Luca has received an astounding 28 commendations from customers in 13 months at U-Go—an incredible testament to his dedication.
Luca’s passion, professionalism, and care make him an exceptional ambassador for the industry.
Outer-Metropolitan
Winner: Anush Paul from Redbus CDC NSW
Anush is known for his highly driven and committed character. His colleagues describe him as reliable, honest, and approachable, with a friendly and calm nature that makes him a great mentor to others. His commitment to personal and professional growth is inspiring. Anush is always seeking to improve his skills and contribute positively to his team and the wider bus industry.
Anush takes immense pride in his work. A key example is his pivotal role in creating and leading the first-ever “Driver Coach program” at Red Bus Services. Not only did Anush step into this role with enthusiasm, but he also developed training materials and criteria from scratch, ensuring that new drivers are well-prepared and supported from day one. This initiative has been a game-changer for the company, contributing to improved safety and driver readiness.
With over 20 years of experience in bus operations Anush has an exceptional track record in both operational and training roles. His dedication to coaching, training, and developing new drivers has made a significant impact on Red Bus Services, improving service quality and safety across the board.
Anush’s leadership, mentorship, and contributions to the industry make him a deserving recipient of this award.
Rural and Regional
Winner: Kathryn Curry from Busways
Kath has been an exemplary bus driver at Busways for 25 years, having started as a casual driver in 1999.
Known for her friendly smile and welcoming demeanour Kath consistently receives praise from passengers and colleagues alike. Her commitment to serving the community is outstanding from volunteering for ANZAC Day services to organizing special outings for elderly passengers, like the memorable birthday trip to the beach for a 102-year-old regular.
Kath takes immense pride in her role. She is always willing to go the extra mile, whether it’s assisting passengers with special needs or covering shifts at a moment’s notice. Her safety-first attitude and exceptional driving skills are reflected in her flawless safety record and the trust her passengers place in her.
With over 25 years of service Kath has consistently demonstrated reliability, compassion, and professionalism. She is also an active mentor helping to train new drivers and contributing to the “Drivers’ Consultative Committee”.
Her dedication to her work and the community is unparalleled, and she remains a valued member of the Busways family.
Kath’s commitment to excellence, her leadership, and her care for others make her a deserving recipient of this award.
Coach and Charter
Winner: Chris Choi from Kinetic Sydney
Chris is known for his consistently positive and uplifting spirit. His friendly demeanour and cheerful attitude make passengers feel welcome and at ease from the moment they board. He goes above and beyond the call of duty to ensure that every journey is enjoyable, and his willingness to assist passengers no matter the situation is valued by everyone he interacts with.
Chris takes immense pride in his work reflected in his meticulous attention to detail and commitment to maintaining a clean and comfortable environment for his passengers.
He is known for his exceptional driving skills and for navigating even the most challenging routes with ease all while keeping his passengers’ safety and comfort a top priority. Passengers often commend him for his smooth and safe driving and for the genuine care he takes in ensuring every passenger feels respected and valued.
With over 7 years of experience in the transport industry, Chris has proven himself to be a reliable and skilled driver.
His career is marked by numerous commendations, multiple “Driver of the Month” awards, and the prestigious “Rookie of the Year” award in 2021. He is also called upon to move coaches across Australia, showcasing his versatility and professionalism.
Chris’s dedication, skills and positive attitude make him an exceptional representative of the coach and charter industry.
BusNSW Bus & Coach Driver Awards are sponsored by CareSuper.