FRIENDLY Weymouth bus driver Gus Landi is in line for a top award.

Gus, 60, an employee of First Wessex, has made the shortlist for the National Transport Awards’ Frontline Employee of the Year.

It is the second time he has been nominated for a top industry award.

He was nominated for the award because of the tremendous respect he commands from both customers and colleagues over the 15 years he has been working for First in Weymouth.

The winner of the award will be announced in October.

The nomination for Gus states: “His sunny disposition, friendliness and willingness to go that extra mile for customers is constantly recognised and has resulted in a number of plaudits from passengers and the wider local community."

Earlier this year, Gus was one of the First Wessex drivers who took part in a training day for young people, organised by Dorset Youth Council in partnership with the ITV Fixers Project.

As a result, he now has an education programme. “Gus On The Bus (Getting Us Safe)” named after him. The pack is designed to break down stereotypes of young people when using public transport or a school bus.”

The father of five daughters, Gus originally comes from Guinea-Bissau in West Africa. When he moved to England, he worked for a care organisation before becoming a welcome host at a Bristol hotel. It was while he was in Bristol that he first started driving buses.

In his spare time, he keeps fit through martial arts and swimming, and also cares voluntarily for a Portland man one day a week.

Gus said: “It is very nice to be noticed in this way and have people talking about you saying nice things. Bus driving can be a difficult job but I like to be with people and enjoy my life.”

Simon Newport, General Manager of First Wessex, added: “Gus is a real pleasure to work with and an asset to our business. He is held in high esteem by both customers and colleagues. I am extremely proud to have Gus working for me.”

Gus will find out if he has won this prestigious award, which is open to employees working across all modes of transport, at the National Transport Awards ceremony being held at the Westminster Park Plaza Hotel in London on Thursday, October 8.

Gus was nominated for the Chris Moyes Memorial Award for the Top National Bus Driver in the 2013 UK Bus Awards. He was highly commended by judges.