First Bus engineer at Halifax depot wins clutch of awards in transport industry national challenge

An engineer at the First Bus depot in Halifax has won a clutch of awards in a national competition to decide the best technicians in the bus and coach industry.

Steve Price was named Mechanical Engineer award winner in the IRTE Skills Challenge, which is organised by the Institute of Road Transport Engineers and involved some 40 operators from across the country.

He was also part of a team of three with colleagues at its depots in Leeds to win the Outstanding Qualified Team award.

The IRTE Skills Challenge is a week-long series of technical problem-solving and diagnostic exercises set by the Institute’s specialists to the test the knowledge and capability of qualified engineers and trainees.

First Bus also won the Outstanding Apprentice Team award with trainees based at other depots in Bradford and Bramley in Leeds.

First West Yorkshire Engineering Director, Simon Carlisle, said: “To sweep the board in so  many categories shows the strength, depth and new talent we have in our depots.”

“The whole business is extremely proud of the achievements of our qualified and trainee engineers, who have demonstrated the skills, aptitude and versatility needed to maintain a modern bus fleet and meet the challenges of new technologies and zero-emission vehicles which are increasing on the region’s roads will be the norm in the years to come.” 

Individual honours for the Electrical Technician award and Bodywork Apprentice award were also claimed by First Bus engineers at the Leeds depots.

Ends

Picture shows Steve completing a test during the challenge week.