Bedfordshire’s largest local bus operator, Stagecoach East, has received national recognition for its work to prevent violence against women and girls, taking home one of the UK transport industry’s top awards.
At the prestigious Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation (CIHT) Awards, held at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London, Stagecoach East was named the winner of the Collaboration Award.
The operator was also Highly Commended in the Bus Centre of Excellence Innovation of the Year category.
Darren Roe, managing director of Stagecoach East, said, “We are absolutely delighted to have won such a prestigious national award, and to be highly commended in a second category is just the icing on the cake.
“Alongside our outstanding partners, our team has worked extremely hard to make a real difference to the lives of women and girls locally.”
These awards highlight Stagecoach East’s pioneering Buses and Businesses Against Abuse (BAA) initiative.
BAA is a collaborative project with Cambridgeshire Constabulary and the Cambridge and Peterborough Rape Crisis Centre.
The scheme aims to tackle violence against women and girls (VAWG) across Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, and other areas served by Stagecoach East.
The BAA scheme ensures that Stagecoach buses serve as safe spaces for anyone feeling at risk.
All new drivers are trained in how to support vulnerable passengers, while existing drivers receive annual refresher training. Each bus carries signage to reinforce its status as a safe refuge.
Darren Roe added, “BAA is very important to us – our drivers are not only trained to recognise signs of abuse, but also empowered to act. We’re proud to offer a service where everyone can feel safe and supported.”
Founded in 1980, Stagecoach is the UK’s largest bus and coach operator, running a fleet of 8,400 vehicles that connect more than 100 towns and cities across the UK.
The CIHT Awards, judged by senior industry figures, have celebrated innovation, sustainability, and best practice in the transport sector for over 15 years.
You can find our more about the BAA initiative here.
