First Bus has been crowned Scotland’s Public Transport Operator of the Year 2025 at the Scottish Transport Awards, in recognition of its service improvements, technological innovation, and commitment to sustainability across Greater Glasgow and Aberdeen.
The prestigious award – open to all bus, rail, tram and ferry operators in Scotland – celebrates outstanding performance in public transport. First Bus stood out for delivering over 96.5 million passenger journeys in the past year, a figure that continues to grow, helping to connect communities with work, education, and leisure opportunities.
Judges praised the operator’s progress in enhancing customer experience, improving journey times and service reliability, while also attracting new passengers and showcasing its positive role in the communities it serves.
Particular recognition was given to First Bus’s investment in sustainability, with over 270 zero-emission buses now operating across its Scottish network. The company remains on track to run a fully zero-emission fleet by 2035.
In a move that extends its green commitment beyond passengers, First Bus has also made its B2B electric vehicle charging infrastructure available to third parties. Organisations including Openreach, Police Scotland, Ember Coaches and West Coast Motors now use the facilities, illustrating a broader shift towards collaborative transport solutions.
In addition to the top operator accolade, First Bus also collected the award for Excellence in Technology and Innovation. This recognised the company’s implementation of AI-driven timetables, which have been rolled out across more than 60 routes over the past year. By using real-world data to adapt to road conditions and traffic, some services have seen a punctuality improvement of over 30 per cent.
Duncan Cameron, Managing Director of First Bus Scotland, said:
“I am delighted First Bus has been recognised as Scotland’s Public Transport Operator of the Year.
We have worked extremely hard to make real, tangible changes to the overall customer experience while also doing everything in our power to ensure our services across Greater Glasgow and Aberdeen are more reliable for passengers.
The award belongs to our thousands of colleagues across the country whose tireless efforts every day ensure we continue to deliver for our customers.”
The twin wins mark a significant milestone for First Bus as it continues to modernise operations and help shape a cleaner, more efficient public transport future in Scotland.
