Bus driver Tony Horler has become a familiar fixture behind the wheel on the 500 Park and Ride route over the past decade.
But his year's manning the till for the Oxford Bus Company are nothing compared to Arthur Pearson - who has worked for the firm for 63 years, equivalent to Mr Horler's entire life. The stalwarts' endeavours have been recognised at the 2011 UK Bus Awards, with Tony nominated as bus driver of the year and Arthur up for the unsung hero prize.
Tony, from Wallingford, became a driver after the death of his wife and said the best part of his job was meeting the public.
"The reason I like bus driving is the bus loads and unloads itself, and there's always somewhere to park," he said. "I just like meeting people. You get your regulars, but because it's the park and ride you get all the tourists as well. You get asked a lot of questions, which you can't always answer, but it encourages you to find out for the next time."
Mr Horler, who has not missed a day's work in nine years, said he was "genuinely shocked" to be nominated for the awards, the most prestigious in the bus industry calendar. "I was honoured, because I'm representing all the drivers in the company," he said.
Arthur Pearson, 87, joined the bus company in 1948 after being demobbed from the army. Originally from Scarborough, he followed his brother to Oxford to find regular bus work and met his future wife Jean on the bus, who later became his conductress.
Having retired 23 years ago aged 65, it was only a matter of days before the firm rang Arthur and asked him to return to work part time as an inspector. He now works two hours a day, five days a week as a customer services liaison. When then Prime Minister Gordon Brown visited the firm, he spent time chatting to the company veteran.
He said: "It's changed quite a lot since I started. It keeps me active. I have enjoyed working for the company. It's unbelievable, really. I've always tried to do 100 per cent and I've always been happy with what I've been doing."
Louisa Weeks, the operations director of Oxford Bus Company said: “We expect the highest standards from all our drivers and it is difficult to single out one in particular. However, Tony Horler is a particular favourite with passengers and always wants to go that extra mile to help passengers.”
“Arthur Pearson is a remarkable man, now aged 87 and in his 63rd year with Oxford Bus Comapny he still relishes every day at work. He is much loved by everyone colleagues and customers alike and I am delighted his service has been acknowledged by the UK Bus Awards.”
The firm has also been nominated in the environment category, as has Stagecoach for their work in introducing hybrid buses to the streets of Oxford. Stagecoach’s Oxford Tube route is included in the final listings for top express operator. The winners will be announced at the Hilton hotel in London on November 29.
