Nottingham bus drivers win award after helping student who was stranded after night out
‘It never ceases to amaze us just how wonderful our driving team are and the care they show’
The kindness of two Nottingham bus drivers has been applauded after they came to the aid of a young student who had become stranded without a phone or money after a night out, leaving her in a vulnerable state.
At 7:30am on Friday 12th March Ian Hulley, the driver of the Indigo service towards Nottingham, proved to be a reassuring presence for the vulnerable student. He let her board the bus free of charge and ensured she was safe by seating her near to the front of the bus.
After travelling to Nottingham city centre, Ian made sure the student got on the Skylink express service where the second driver, Kevin Allen, allowed her to travel for free and again sat her at the front of the bus.
This allowed the student to make it safely back to the NTU Clifton Campus. Staff at the campus were contacted and then provided a safe-and-well-check for the student, Nottingham Post reports.
In recognition for their care and kindness, the two drivers were awarded Star Awards by the National Pubwatch scheme for keeping the student safe on a night out.
National Pubwatch is an organisation supporting more that 800 pub watches around the UK and seeks to recognise those that have gone the extra mile to make the night time economy safe. This is done through its Star Awards.
The chairman, Steve Baker, said: “It is great to see partnership working ensuring the safety of a vulnerable person in the night time economy. Nottingham has a vibrant and well managed night time economy with an active pub watch. It is a privilege to recognise these two bus drivers for ensuring the safety of this Nottingham student.”
Wayne Cliff, student community liaison manager at NTU, added: “The positive outcome for this young person highlights how Nottingham’s transport partners work together and go the extra mile to ensure the safety of passengers using the network.
“I would like to thank trentbarton’s community safety colleagues and in particular the two drivers, who did an outstanding service and should be commended for their safeguarding actions.”
The managing director at trentbarton, Tom Morgan, said: “It never ceases to amaze us just how wonderful our driving team are and the care they show, not just to our customers, but everyone they come into contact with. It’s things like this that make them the best in the land, and we’re incredibly proud that they are part of the trentbarton family.”
Feature Image Via: National Pubwatch