Two Nottingham bus drivers honoured with NPW Star Awards for protecting vulnerable student

National Pubwatch is a voluntary organisation that supports over 800 pubwatches across the UK. Its Star Awards recognise the actions of people locally who have gone above and beyond to make the night time economy safe.

Bus drivers Rob Hulley and Kevin Allen, who work for local transport operator trentbarton on the Indigo and Skylink express services, worked together, and with staff at Nottingham Trent University (NTU) Clifton Campus, to support the young female passenger who came to their attention at 7.30am on Friday 12 March at the Beeston Interchange. She has ended up in Beeston after a night out and had lost her phone and her money.

The driver of the Indigo service bound for Nottingham city centre Rob Hulley provided reassurance to the student and, recognising her vulnerability, allowed her to board the service free of charge, seating her nearest to the front of the bus to further ensure her safety.

Once in Nottingham city centre the driver of the Indigo bus escorted the female student onto the Skylink express service and explained the situation to the second driver Kevin Allen who again seated her near the front of the bus and allowed her to travel free of charge to the NTU Clifton campus.

The NTU Clifton campus was contacted where a safe-and-well-check was undertaken with the student.

Steve Baker OBE, chairman of National Pubwatch, 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 pubwatch. 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, said: “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.”

Alex Flint, CEO of It's in Nottingham, Nottingham’s Business Improvement District, added: “Nottingham is a welcoming city with a night-time offer that is enjoyed by people of all ages. Whilst the majority of visitors may never find themselves vulnerable on a night out, it is very reassuring to see how effectively partners come together at times of need.”

Tom Morgan, managing director at trentbarton, 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.”

The NPW Star Award is sponsored by HIT Training www.hittraining.co.uk