First Bus and GreenRoad to celebrate David Nairn’s national award at Euro Bus Expo; GreenRoad safety platform reveals his near-perfect driving performance
[UK, 23 September 2026] – A First Bus driver has been crowned the UK’s most skilled and professional bus driver for the second year running, as David Nairn takes the title of UK Bus Driver of the Year 2026.
Nairn, who is based at First Bus’s Bramley depot in Leeds, won the national final in Blackpool on 6 September, competing against more than 100 drivers across a series of demanding theory and practical tests.
To reach the finals, Nairn’s selection by First Bus included his GreenRoad score of 2, a near-perfect driving record over the past 12 months.
The win means a First Bus driver has now held the national title for two consecutive years, the first time in 20 years that one operator has retained the award. Michael Leech, of First Bus’s Halifax depot, was named UK Bus Driver of the Year in 2025.
Nairn also picked up awards for the highest-placed driver from an English depot and the highest-placed First Bus competitor in the final.
Zoe Hands, Managing Director of First Bus Franchising, said: “David’s achievement is a tremendous source of pride for everyone at First Bus. Bus drivers carry enormous responsibility every day, combining technical skill and sound judgement with commitment to passengers and the communities they serve.
“To have two First Bus colleagues win this national award in consecutive years says a great deal about the standards our drivers set and the professionalism they bring to every journey. We are delighted to celebrate David’s success, with GreenRoad part of this achievement, at Euro Bus Expo.”
Yali Harari, CEO of GreenRoad, said: “Technology can provide insight, identify risk and support better decisions, but skilled and committed drivers remain at the heart of every safe journey.
“David’s achievement deserves to be celebrated across the industry. It reflects the judgement, consistency and professionalism required to keep passengers and other road users safe, day after day. We are proud to work with First Bus and to recognise David’s success at Euro Bus Expo.”
GreenRoad’s fleet safety platform is based on predictive AI and combines driver feedback, telematics and video to help transport operators identify risk and act before incidents happen, giving drivers real-time feedback while equipping fleet and safety teams with the insight to support focused coaching and continuous improvement.
First Bus and GreenRoad have worked together to encourage smoother, safer and more efficient driving across bus operations, built on the shared belief that lasting improvement comes from combining professional drivers, supportive coaching and actionable safety intelligence.
Visitors to Euro Bus Expo can meet the GreenRoad team at Stand 160 to see how predictive and agentic AI are helping passenger transport operators move from reacting to incidents to preventing them.
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