Stagecoach South West recognises Exeter bus drivers in long service awards ceremony

A group of Exeter bus drivers has been recognised for their long-standing dedication, with some marking more than three decades behind the wheel keeping the city moving.

Working for Stagecoach South West, the 27 long-serving bus drivers and staff were recognised at a ceremony held at Exeter’s Sandy Park this week.

Among those honoured were Exeter drivers Michael Rose and David Taylor, each marking 35 years behind the wheel, long enough to have carried generations of passengers across the city. 

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They were joined by colleagues Nicholas Goddard, Brian Furzer, Philip Sansom, Stephen Lock, Pawel Lsezczynski, Richard Axe, and Ronald Stevenson, all of whom have worked for the company for 20 years or more.

Several recently retired Exeter drivers were also recognised, including Derek Bartlett and Michael Tout, both of whom spent more than two decades driving local routes.

Speaking at the event, Stagecoach South West managing director Peter Knight said the evening was about recognising the people who keep Devon’s buses moving through every season and every change to the network: “Our people are the heart of everything we do,” he said. 

“This celebration recognises the extraordinary dedication of our colleagues, who collectively give hundreds of years of service to both Stagecoach and the communities we serve.”

The event was also a reminder of the camaraderie and loyalty shared among staff who have spent years working side by side, often through early mornings, late nights, and all kinds of weather.

Many of those recognised have spent their entire careers based in Exeter’s depots or driving its routes, and colleagues said the gathering was a welcome chance to acknowledge the quiet, everyday work that keeps the city moving.