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Schedulers play a vital role in the UK bus industry, but they rarely get the recognition they deserve. That’s why we've teamed up with leading industry publication Passenger Transport to launch a new award for 2020 - The Joe Wood Scheduler of the Year.
As well as seeking to raise awareness of the important work that is done by schedulers, and celebrate leaders in the field, the award is a tribute to our friend and colleague Joe Wood, who died last year.
The unsung heroes of the bus depot
Since CitySwift’s launch, we have been lucky enough to work with some amazing schedulers across the UK and Ireland. This experience has made us realise that schedulers are often the unsung heroes of each depot. The complexity of the job can lead to colleagues not fully understanding the hugely important role that schedulers play in the efficient operation of their bus networks.
Schedulers help decide how our cities move. They are responsible for the reliability and growth of bus services and ultimately have a huge impact on the profitability of businesses that turn over millions of pounds.
Schedulers help decide how our cities move. They are responsible for the reliability and growth of bus services and ultimately have a huge impact on the profitability of businesses that turn over millions of pounds.
Joe Wood
With a lifelong connection to buses thanks to being brought up alongside the family business, Metrobus of Orpington, Joe Wood began driving buses at Stagecoach London in 2012. He went on to work in scheduling roles for Go-Ahead London, Stagecoach London and Reading Buses.
He was network planning manager at Reading Buses when he was recruited by CitySwift as our commercial and integration director for the UK in early 2019. But he died in April after suffering a heart attack.
In October, his contribution to the industry was recognised at the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport’s Annual Awards for Excellence in London. Joe posthumously received the President’s Award.
Commenting on the impact made by his former colleague, CitySwift COO Alan Farrelly said: "Joe was one of the brightest rising stars of the UK bus industry. His passion and knowledge were obvious to everybody he met, and his potential was limitless."
"Joe showed us all what can be achieved through great scheduling, and we are delighted to launch this award in his honour."
"Joe showed us all what can be achieved through great scheduling, and we are delighted to launch this award in his honour."
