BUS travel may not always be seen as first-class, but the service provided by two drivers in Swindon is exactly that, according to their passengers.

Phil Manning, from Thamesdown Transport, and John Dyer, from Stagecoach, received overwhelming support, and rave reviews, during a week-long social media campaign to find the town’s top bus drivers.

Recognition of the high standard of customer service offered by the pair when behind the wheel was shown by bus users on Facebook during the special competition, run during National Customer Service Week, between October 6 and 12.

Swindon Travel Choices launched the search in a bid to reward traits such as a friendly disposition, good advice, skilful driving or an act of kindness.

The winning bus drivers each received £100 of high street shopping vouchers, which were presented at a cermeony on Monday.

There was also a posthumous award for Mick Iles, a Stagecoach driver who passed away recently.

Phil, 36, who lives in Walcot, has been a bus driver since 1997, following in the footsteps of his father, John.

“I was overwhelmed to have been nominated by so many people,” he said.

“You always try to do the best that you can and since I’ve been back it’s nice to be recognized by Thamesdown as well as by colleagues and passengers.”

Phil’s father was a bus driver for Thamesdown for 13 years until he retired last year.

“Both bus driving and Thamesdown are in my blood,” Phil added.

“All I ever wanted to do when I was young was to be a bus driver and so I feel like I’ve fulfilled a dream.”

Claire Fleming, from Swindon Travel Choices, said: “We had a great reaction to the campaign. We had more than 120 comments on the Facebook site, nearly all praising the work of one or more of Swindon’s bus drivers.”

Members of the public nominating their best bus driver were quick to praise the Thamesdown and Stagecoach staff.

One person wrote: “This shows the drivers how much we appreciate them. I’d find it difficult to pick just one driver as I always remember the bad weather when it snowed and the drivers were stopping and picking people up along the roads.”

Another said: “I nominate ALL bus drivers… Good luck to whoever wins but let’s remember every single one is worthy of a medal!”

Paul Jenkins, managing director of Thamesdown, said judges faced a tough decision when picking the winner: “There were many worthy nominations for our drivers, all recognising the skills and care that are needed to be a good bus driver.

“We’re very pleased that the public also commended Phil for his dedication.”