Supertram beat off entrants from Nottingham Express Transit, Blackpool tramways and Metrobus to win this new section of the UK Bus awards which also saw Stagecoach named as best bus operator in Britain for the second year running.

Listed below is the criteria we were assesed on.

Customer relations

Maintaining and improving customer relations? 

Policies for specific customer groups, for example recognising disability and diversity?

Employee good practice

Evidence of the company’s employee relations policies, including:

• Diversity
• equal opportunities
• training
• employee development programmes.

Operational and Engineering Performance

Statistics on timekeeping and lost mileage, together with a commentary on any major equipment or software incidents that have disrupted service and how these have been dealt with.

Sustainable Finances

Entrants had to provide information to demonstrate the sustainability of their activities.

Risk Management

We had to demonstrate the company’s awareness that risk can arise in all activities of the organisation. This included a commentary on Health and Safety issues for the past year, supported by reports on any significant incidents, showing how the company assesses the impact of the company's activities on all of its staff, passengers and the general public and has monitoring and control measures to reduce risk and the level of the residual risks.

Serving the Community

Evidence was submitted on matters such as partnership working, how the company responds to the policies of its local transport authority and how it fosters and contributes to the life of the communities it serves.

Market Development

Entrants should show how they contribute to sustaining and expanding the market for public transport in their area, including joint working with local authorities and integration schemes. This was supported by statistics to confirm patronage and revenue trends, numerical evidence of new patronage won from private car travel was also a factor.

Practical Assessment

Shortlisted entries for the Street Transit Award were assessed by “mystery shopping" visits to confirm the users’ experience.

We are extremely proud to have won this award. It demonstrates and recognises our commitment to providing a service that is second to none and acknowledges the dedication of all our staff, both operational and engineering.