The Joe Wood Scheduler of the Year, sponsored by CitySwift, will again raise awareness of the profession and its importance to buses

 
Richard Sherratt: Joe Wood Scheduler of the Year 2020

 
The Covid crisis has challenged the capabilities of all bus company employees – not least the schedulers. Many regarded them as unsung heroes before the pandemic. However, the speed and ingenuity that schedulers have demonstrated since March 2020 has led to enhanced recognition of the vital role they play.

Recognition of schedulers and their important role has also been boosted by the inaugural Joe Wood Scheduler of the Year Award, which was launched by Passenger Transport and CitySwift, the specialist data engine that uses AI to improve bus network reliability and efficiency, last year.

The award is a tribute to Joe Wood, a widely respected young bus manager who died in 2019. Joe had worked in scheduling roles at Go-Ahead, Stagecoach and Reading Buses before joining CitySwift’s fast-expanding team. He posthumously received the President’s Award at the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport’s Annual Awards for Excellence.

Despite disruption caused by the pandemic, Trentbarton’s Richard Sherratt was named as the first ever Joe Wood Scheduler of the Year last November.

It’s nice to be recognised as the industry does not always appreciate the work that goes into getting the services ready and the bus to the bus stop.

After winning the prize, he said: “It’s nice to be recognised as the industry does not always appreciate the work that goes into getting the services ready and the bus to the bus stop.”

Sherrat, who has been in the industry for over 40 years after joining straight from school, said that 2020 had been very different from a scheduling point of view as a result of the pandemic.

“We had to cope with changes seemingly every week early in the first lockdown,” he said. “But it’s just one of those challenges; the work has to be done. The art of being a good scheduler is to go unnoticed. Like any job the trick is making the hard things look easy.”

The 2021 Joe Wood Scheduler of the Year competition is launching this month, providing a further opportunity to raise awareness of the work that is done by schedulers and celebrate leaders in the field. Commenting on the award’s return, CitySwift COO Alan Farrelly said: “As Richard Sherratt says, the art of being a good scheduler is to go unnoticed – but we don’t want them to go unrecognised!

Schedulers help decide how our cities move. They identify efficiencies that make public transport services a commercial success as well as more attractive and more affordable for users

“Schedulers help decide how our cities move. They identify efficiencies that make public transport services a commercial success as well as more attractive and more affordable for users.

“Our team has been privileged to work with some great schedulers, but even we have been amazed by how they responded to the pandemic. They worked miracles to recast timetables time and again as service levels reduced and then returned. This year’s Joe Wood Scheduler of the Year offers an opportunity to celebrate this vital work.”

Submit your entry!

Nominations are now open for The Joe Wood Scheduler of the Year Award 2021 and the deadline for entries is October 8. Details of how to apply can be found in the adjacent column.

The entries will be judged by an expert panel of judges from across the industry.

 
HOW TO ENTER:

It’s quick and easy! You can CLICK HERE. Alternatively, read the following instructions and email us…

Entries should be submitted in the following format:

A. Case study of a new schedule (max 100 words)
1. How did the scheduler approach the project?
2. How did they increase reliability and efficiency (and by how much)?

B. Innovation in scheduling (max 100 words)
1. How does the scheduler’s methodology differ from standard scheduling practices?
2. How do they combine ‘traditional’ scheduling skills and knowledge with ‘modern’ technology and data?

C. The Covid experience (max 100 words)
1. How did the scheduler adapt their schedules during lockdown to allow for reduced patronage, reduced congestion, social distancing and the travel needs of healthcare and key workers?
2. What changes are they making to ensure aschedules fit new travel patterns and changes in passenger demand as we emerge from the pandemic?

D. Contribution to the wider business (max 100 words)
1. What impact does the scheduler have on the wider business?
2. Are they capable of mentoring and training the next generation of schedulers?

E. Why does the scheduler deserve to be Scheduler of the Year? (max 50 words)
1. Why does the scheduler deserve to be Scheduler of the Year?

EMAIL US:

Email your entries to editorial@passengertransport.co.uk – no later than October 8.

For enquiries, email the same address or call 020 3950 8000.

 
This article appears in the latest issue of Passenger Transport.

DON’T MISS OUT – GET YOUR COPY! – click here to subscribe!