Scotland’s largest bus operator, First Glasgow, is today (Friday) celebrating after being named as Public Transport Operator of the Year at last night’s Scottish Transport Awards, one of the transport industry’s most respected award ceremonies.

In awarding the much-coveted prize, the judges highlighted the significant role First Glasgow played in the success of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow last summer, when it carried a quarter of a million spectators while the eyes of the world were on the city.

Also recognised was the company’s significant investment in new vehicles, with 226 buses introduced in the last three years at a cost of £37million and its £20million new headquarters – the biggest and best bus depot in the UK – which was officially opened in the south side of the city by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.

This new centre of operations is helping the company improve its performance and is very much seen as a launch pad for the growth and expansion of the business. 

In a separate category, one of First Glasgow’s long-serving employees was highly commended despite narrowly missing out on the celebrated ‘Frontline Employee of the Year’ Award.

Jean Scott, the bus operator’s 59-year-old lost property assistant, recently featured in a documentary which delved into the fascinating world of lost property and offered an exclusive look behind the scenes of First Glasgow’s Lost Property Office.

Managing Director of First Glasgow, Fiona Kerr, said: 'I'm absolutely delighted to see the hard work of the entire team at First Glasgow recognised at the Scottish Transport Awards. We have an unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional service for our customers, and to keeping them at the heart of what we do. And we're continually challenging ourselves to be the best company we can be in everything that we do - not just the best bus company.

'Investment in new vehicles, new technology, and our fantastic employees going above and beyond in delivering for our customers certainly saw First Glasgow reach a new high in terms of the excellent results and performance achieved in 2014. To be named as the best public transport operator in Scotland by the judges reflects the hard work and commitment from our whole team to improve services across the Greater Glasgow area and to ultimately encourage more people to travel by bus.'

She added: 'When you carry in excess of two million passenger trips around Greater Glasgow every week it’s inevitable that people will leave behind precious belongings. And if they do, they’ll be in safe hands with Jean who goes above and beyond on a daily basis to reunite people with their items. I’m really pleased to see Jean highly commended for her efforts, which we know are greatly appreciated by many of our customers.

'I'd also like to pass on the congratulations of everyone at First Glasgow to Glasgow City Council for its award as Local Transport Authority of the Year, and to Glasgow Airport as Airport of the Year. Both are very well deserved and it certainly capped a great night for Glasgow.'

As Scotland’s biggest bus operator, First Glasgow run services on more than 80 different routes, moving in excess of 107million customers each year. 

The Scottish Transport Awards took place on Thursday, June 18 in Glasgow.