Bus man Brian is driver of the year
ABUS driver has won an award for pulling out all the stops for his passengers.
Transdev driver Brian McDowall, from Accrington, was nominated for the award by his pensioner passengers, who voted for him by handing in their bus tickets.
When the votes were added up Brian, who drives several buses including the X41 route from Blackburn to Manchester via Accrington and Haslingden, was named Blackburn with Darwen Older People’s Forum’s Bus Driver of the Year 2016.
Brian, who lives on Brocklehurst Avenue with his partner Vera, said: “It was a total shock when I was told I’d won. I didn’t know anything about it. I just got a call from my boss and he told me I’d been nominated as the number one driver. It was a really nice feeling.”
The former Scots Guard, 49, says it is the little things such as lowering the step so his elderly pasengers can get on and off, taking the tickets out of the machine for them and waiting for them to sit down before moving off that people appreciate.
He also says his understanding of older people has deepened after his late mum’s experience with Alzheimer’s.
He said: “Looking after my mum gave me an insight into old age. I used to listen to what she said and then convert it into a normal meaning.
“I tend to recognise people with Alzheimer’s in a few seconds and try to be understanding.”
But it is not just Brian’s older customers who appreciate his kind, considerate manner.
He said: “I get compliments off various people and a few have congratu- lated me since I won.”
Brian says his cheerful nature has become a bit of a trademark since his time driving holiday coaches for Robinsons Holidays from 2000 to 2005.
He said: “You had to be happy and cheerful all the time – even when it got stressful – as people were on holiday.”
But the modest Brian has taken his moment of fame in his stride.
He said: “I’ll just carry on doing what I’ve been doing for 24 years.”
Shaun Walmsley, general manager at the Blackburn Bus Company, congratulated Brian.
He said: “We’re all thrilled and very proud Brian has been recognised with this award for the outstanding service he provides to his valued customers every single day. Brian really takes pride in his work and sets an excellent example to his fellow drivers.”