Meet Lini - one of the Bus Drivers of the Year

Congratulations to Linaire (Lini) Barrett, from ComfortDelGro Corporation (CDC) NSW, who was named the 2022 Coach and Charter Driver of the Year.

Lini was one of six recipients of the Bus Driver of the Year Award, with two winners announced in each category due to the postponement of the 2021 Awards The Bus Driver of the Year Awards were established by BusNSW in 2006 to recognise the outstanding achievements of individuals within the bus and coach industry.

“The awards are divided into three categories to recognise drivers in greater Sydney, regional NSW and in the coach and charter sector,” stated Matt Threlkeld, the Executive Director of BusNSW.

To be eligible for the awards, nominees must have a safe driving record, and consistently display respect to all other road users. They also need to exhibit a positive and cooperative attitude towards their job, be able to assist passengers and other staff members in a friendly manner and have high standards of personal presentation.

Lini began driving buses in 2020 due to the security of being an ‘essential worker’ during the pandemic. Lini is one of three women who have won an award at the Bus NSW Awards in the past ten years

“It’s a huge honour” said Lini, "it still overwhelms me to be chosen out of the hundreds that were nominated ”

“The best part of my day is getting out on the road and being with the public Safety has always been the key, especially the safety of your passengers getting on and off the bus,” confirmed Lini.

“One of the three main issues bus drivers face is traffic, contending with diversions in place.”

Lini has found since the second wave of Covid19 other road users have been less patient with her and other bus drivers.

“The delays in traffic seem to increasingly be caused by accidents on the roads. Road safety is very critical in terms of me being able to do my job as a bus driver.”

The winners for the 2022 Bus Driver of the Year Awards were:

Metropolitan/Outer Metropolitan Bus Drivers of the Year

Belinda Guillard from Busways

Leo Pham from Premier Illawarra

Rural and Regional Bus Drivers of the Year

Les Curtis from Cowans Bus Service

Alan Selman from Ogden's

Coaches Coach and Charter Drivers of the Year

Linaire Barrett from CDC NSW

Hans Keetels from On Course Tours