newy.com.au – Newcastle bus driver Trevor Lightfoot will retire this week after 34 years behind the wheel, ending a career marked by punctual service, a clean customer complaint record and a recent industry award.
Mr Lightfoot was recently named BusNSW’s 2025 Outer Metropolitan Driver of the Year, recognising his outstanding driving record and customer service. Known to customers as “helpful Trev”, he has recorded a 99 per cent overall on-time running score, has never missed a customer at a stop and has received zero customer complaints.
“I take a lot of pride in my job,” he said.
Mr Lightfoot entered the bus industry after leaving his job as a fitter and turner at Newcastle State Dockyard when it closed in 1986. He began driving coaches with Sid Foggs for 10 years before moving into bus driving in Newcastle, where he has spent the past 24 years.
His commitment has also been reflected in his attendance, having hardly taken a sick day in more than two decades.
“I just have a loyalty to the company – that’s just me,” he said.
Despite describing himself as “old school”, Mr Lightfoot has kept pace with changes in public transport and became one of Newcastle’s first bus operators to drive Newcastle Transport’s first zero emission buses.
“I was excited to get to know this technology before retiring,” he said.
Keolis Hunter operations manager Dan Collis said Mr Lightfoot had been a dependable and valued member of the team.
“Trevor is the definition of a quiet achiever. He sets the standard for what great public transport looks like.”
“He has been an advocate for our electric bus fleet, taking great pride in driving the buses and playing an important role in educating the team about this new technology.”
“We wish him all the very best for a long, happy, and well-deserved retirement,” said Mr Collis.
Mr Lightfoot has encouraged others to consider a career in the bus industry, with his advice to new drivers to “keep the customers happy” and remember that “preparation is key”.
The Keolis Hunter team marked his retirement with a small ceremony, morning tea and the unveiling of an honorary parking spot.
