Nailsea bus company in running for national award

A Nailsea coach company is a finalist in a national competition to find the best bus service in Britain.

North Somerset Coaches based at Southfield Road is run by 29-year-old David Fricker.

In November it will be up against some of the best in the industry at the UK Bus Awards at the London Hilton.

It was announced at a bus manager's conference in Nottingham this week that North Somerset Coaches has made the finals of the 'Making buses a better choice' category.

Mr Fricker went on a 'busman's holiday' to the East Midlands to hear the announcement.

He said: "I am thrilled we have reached this stage in the competition, especially as we are the smallest company of any of the finalists in any category."

In a David versus Goliath contest North Somerset Coaches is up against entries from Heathrow Airport and National Express among others. 

Mr Fricker said: "We received notification that we'd been nominated back in June and then had to complete a long entry form plus provide lots of evidence to back it up.

"We have also been 'mystery shopped'.

"We hope our passengers share our pride in this announcement; where Nailsea's local bus has been recognised as one of the best in the UK." 

North Somerset Coaches was launched in 2008 when Mr Fricker took over a local bus company established in 1969 at Backwell after the previous owner retired.

He inherited two vehicles and a single school-run contact.

Mr Fricker now employs five staff and has increased business more than fourfold.

The company operates a small fleet of four buses and four 29 to 57-seat coaches which include double-deckers and vintage models from the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s.

Its innovative passenger-friendly ideas include an onboard book club, seasonal carol singing and vintage bus charity days which all fit with Mr Fricker's philosophy to 'do things differently' and make customers matter.

He said: "This is reflected in the loyalty shown by our passengers and their staunch support when our timetable has been under threat from cuts in government transport subsidies.

The community contributions also include sponsoring Clevedon Town FC team coach for away fixtures, running free buses for the annual Christmas street fair and being an active member of Nailsea Chamber of Trade & Commerce.

The company is particularly proud of its X54 Bristol Express early morning commuter service to the city which goes from Nailsea to the city centre in under 30 minutes for £4 return.

Mr Fricker said "Despite being the most environmentally friendly form of transport, the bus industry faces some tough challenges in the near future.

"Rising fuel prices, reductions in fuel duty rebate and concessionary fares are clear and continued threats. 

"We are determined to weather these by maintaining innovative and affordable bus services that prove sustainable alternatives to the car are available and are actually quite nice."

Other finalists in the category are Swansea Bus Station re-development; Heathrow Airport 'free travel zone'; West Yorkshire PTE (Small Bus Stations); National Express Safe Travel Partnership; Reading Buses (Premier Routes); Stagecoach Bluebird (Jet 727) and Transdev Blazefield Route 36 bus refurbishment.

More details of bus times and fares, and the new day excursion programme, can be obtained from North Somerset Coaches 01275 859123 and timetables can be downloaded from www.northsomersetcoaches,co.uk.

The 2011 UK Bus Awards will be presented at a lunchtime ceremony on Tuesday, November  29.

More details of the UK Bus Awards can be found at http://www.ukbusawards.org.uk.