Phillip Hadley, 64, has been a driver with Brighton and Hove Buses for 28 years, and has won high praise within the company for his customer service. Brighton and Hove Bus Company described him as 'authentic', and said not only does he welcome his customers over the public announcement system, wishes them a good day, and tells his customers he’s there for them if they need any assistance, he is also known for filling his cab with leaflets for the homeless, so if a rough sleeper boards his bus he can point them to agencies where they can get help. He is also well-known for listening to his customers about their problems. The company said: "When he chats to his customers and they tell him their problems – how they’ve lost their cat or purse or are feeling a bit down – they know that he genuinely cares. His insistence on chatting breaks down those social barriers we all build to protect ourselves from the loneliness and disconnection of contemporary life. His authenticity reminds his passengers how much they want to belong, to feel valued and be part of something bigger and more meaningful – in short to be part of a community. "When he fell over one bitterly cold icy day in the street during a bus changeover and had to be taken to hospital, his only thought was that he’d let down his customers. It’s not really any of these things in themselves, it’s something far deeper." Phil said: “The only reason I do what I do is because I want to build a better community to live in. I just want to make people feel happy.” He is one of seven bus drivers from across the UK to be named finalists of the 'Top National Bus Driver: the Chris Moyes Memorial Award' at the UK Bus Awards. The award is for those who go beyond the call of duty and deliver exceptional customer service. The finalists were announced at a special event held by the UK Bus Awards at the Museum of Transport, Greater Manchester last week, with the winners set to be revealed at a London ceremony on November 21. Phil said: “I enjoy my job because I live right here in the community; the reason I became a bus driver is I love working with the public. It would mean everything to me, I’ve always given 100 per cent commitment to my employers and to my customers, they’re my true fans!” And Phil isn't the only Brighton and Hove Buses employee up for an award. Ashley Burrows, an electrical engineer, is up for the Unsung Hero award. He is responsible for ensuring the real-time information kit, fitted into each of the 280 buses, is reliable. It informs drivers of their route, the next stop, as well as scheduled times for each stop, the current time and whether the bus is running late or early and by how much. Its efficient functioning makes travelling by bus relevant as it means customers can get the exact time the bus will arrive via their app. The company said Ashley, who does the job single-handedly, was nominated because no task is ever too much, no problem so big, and no solution so unattainable. Brighton and Hove Buses has been shortlisted for Bus Operator of the Year at the same awards, and its bus guide Bus Times – which this year celebrates its 30th anniversary – is up for the Sustained Marketing Excellence award. This comes just days after it was named Bus Operator of the Year at a different awards - the National Transport Awards - on Thursday (October 12). Managing Director Martin Harris said: “I’m delighted the company and my colleagues have been recognised in this way. I’m privileged to work alongside incredibly talented, highly committed, passionate people who work tirelessly day in and out to make our bus service as good as it can be.” Another Brighton company, The Big Lemon Bus Company is up for the Environment award at the UK Bus Awards, for its sustainable credentials in using electric buses and coaches run on cooking oil. To find out more about the UK Bus Awards, visit: www.ukbusawards.org.uk