Young and old, seasoned and rookie, bus and coach drivers from across Sweden are preparing for the annual Swedish Bus and Coach Driver Championship.
The 2023 edition of the Swedish Bus and Coach driver Championship saw B-O Åhrström, from Byberg & Nordin, come in first place.
B-O Åhrström will now be looking to defend his title in Stockholm on 3 September 2024.
The Swedish Bus and Coach Driver Championship, which marked its 20th anniversary last year, aims to increase the public visibility of the bus and coach driver profession by celebrating it and showcasing its drivers’ impressive skills. The finalists complete practical tests that cover service and reception skills, eco-driving, disaster drills, and technical driving.
The championship puts the spotlight on a vital profession that is facing a shortage of drivers while having to manage growing demand for collective passenger transport services.
Every year, one billion journeys are made by public transport in Sweden. One of the most important professional groups within the industry is the bus driver, who plays a critical role in making the journey safe and pleasant.
As a bus driver, you must be able to drive the vehicle smoothly and safely, economically and be risk aware. You must also be able to maneuver big vehicles in tight traffic environments and be quality and environmentally conscious. But that’s not it. The bus driver is the face of the company. It is important that the bus driver is service-oriented, representative and has good customer service skills.
IRU member the Swedish Bus & Coach Federation, together with the sector’s trade magazine, the Res- och Trafik Forum, has been organising the championship since 2003. The event’s partners include trade unions, several public transport companies, leading bus manufactures, and other companies within the bus and coach sector.