We’ve had some fantastic debut performances from newly launched routes such as Peak Sightseer from Stagecoach Yorkshire which made it through to the Quarter Final in its first season and the newly revamped SkyCar 99 progressing to the Semi-Final where it lost to Toon Tour, despite going ahead early on. SkyCar 99 thought they were underdogs but the public came back for more and more, revelling in the delights of their journey from Cardiff to Penarth Pier before narrowly bowing out in injury time.

There have been some close encounters - a draw between Skegness Seasiders and Sunseeker in Devon, with Skegness winning a tight replay. The quarter final between New Forest Tours and Jurassic Coaster had more twists and turns than a trip up Britain’s Steepest Bus Route, the open topper Exmoor Coaster. The previous round saw Jurassic Coaster win

another big local derby in Dorset, edging out the bus that runs on a boat, the Purbeck Breezer. Meanwhile, the fans came out for Scarborough’s Beachcomber and Great Yarmouth’s Clipper Cabriolet with some passionate support from locals, whilst we had a quirky sightseeing derby in Scotland with Edinburgh Britannia Tours facing off with its sister route, Edinburgh City Tour, with the latter winning through very narrowly.

A few surprises have abounded, with the iconic and delightful Lakes 599 service from the brilliant Stagecoach Cumbria being knocked out at the first hurdle and less-known Eastbourne Sightseeing seeing off strong opposition to fellow south east opposition, the 69 from Ramsgate to Stone Bay. No surprise really, as all summer, Eastbourne has had to put on extra buses to meet incredible demand as they travel to the top of Beachy Head!