Much-loved bus driver a winner

Clontarf bus driver, Luluu Berns has won the South East Queensland Bus Driver of the Year award.

Luluu Berns has been a familiar face in the community since 2017, driving the 696 route in Clontarf and surrounds.

Hailing from Samoa and never without a flower in her hair, Luluu gives her passengers the best public transport experience possible – with her recent win recognising this.

Driving for more than 18 years, Luluu is passionate about her job and says winning the award is incredible.

“Winning the award means a great deal to me, it makes me happy,” she says.

“I find being a bus driver so rewarding.

“To all of the bus drivers and everybody out there who voted for me, thank you so much, from the bottom of my heart.”

Luluu loves being a bus driver and says her passengers make it special.

“I get to meet people from all over the place, mostly children and the elderly, and I have a passion for driving buses and taking them to their destination,” Luluu says.

“That’s why I find my job very special, and I love my passengers because they’re all nice to me.”

Acting Head of Translink Peter Milward says the awards are all about recognising the effort and skill of the state’s dedicated bus drivers.

"The Bus Driver of the Year Awards are all about recognising the efforts, skill and professionalism of some of our finest bus drivers in Queensland,” Peter says.

"To stand out amongst a field of 1800 nominations is a fantastic achievement and each finalist and their operator should be immensely proud.

"Congratulations to the three winners and to all finalists. The honour of receiving a Queensland Bus Driver of the Year award is testament to the exceptional service and dedication provided to their passengers and community."