The UK Bus Awards, now in its 16th year, is designed to recognise and reward excellence and good practice in a wide range of disciplines associated with the operation, design and promotion of bus services.

Lothian Buses, the largest bus operator in Edinburgh, beat off stiff competition across the UK to be presented with the Top City Operator of the Year award, regarded as the highest industry accolade.

Managing director of Lothian Buses, Ian Craig, says of the award: “We are delighted to win the Top City Operator of the Year award. Lothian Buses has helped to transform Edinburgh’s public transport over the years and deliver both excellent customer service and technological developments.

Each of our 2,000-strong workforce plays a vital role in the success of the company, and this award is a credit to all the hard work of the team. I would like to pay tribute to and thank the entire Lothian Buses team who are dedicated in delivering the best possible service every day and night.”

The Company picked up the award for Top City Operator for its long term and continued investment in the daily transportation of its 350,000 users across 50 different routes in Edinburgh and the Lothians. Substantial and consistent investment over many years underpins Lothian Buses’ position as one of the UK’s most admired large city operators. The company continues to build on that record with a fleet which grows increasingly eco-friendly, fuelled by the launch of a hybrid fleet earlier this year, and is one of the most accessible in the country