Transdev Australia & New Zealand have held the marquee recognition event every year since 2012, with categories and awards aligned to business priorities.
The Awards offers finalists and a partner of their choice flights to Sydney, accommodation, a three-course meal and cash prizes for the winners, revealed on the night.
Winners take home $1,000AUD (or equivalent in local currency) and the accolades of their peers, many of whom they meet for the first time on the evening due to the geographically disparate nature of Transdev’s operations across both nations.
Alongside the usual six categories, Craig Rieck, General Manager – Operations & Customer Experience at Transdev Sydney Ferries was awarded the very first Lifetime Achievement Award in the history of the event.
“Craig is as much a part of the identity of Sydney Ferries as our vessels or waterways,” said Jarrod Graham, Managing Director of Transdev Sydney Ferries.
“There’s not a person working at the operation that would disagree with me on that.
“Craig works incredibly hard, knows just about everything you can about our operations and is a huge part of our success,” he said.
“It’s a pleasure to see him recognised like he was – much as he might not like it himself!”
Despite circumstances [being different] there's a clear, consistent commitment to customers and each each other
Brian Brennan, Chief Executive Officer, said re-reading the nominations was “easily the highlight” of his year.
“I read as many as I could. Some were two lines, some were two pages, but every nomination was written by someone who wanted a colleague to be noticed.
“What struck me that despite circumstances – different cities, operations, shifts – there was a clear, consistent commitment to customers and each other,” he said.
Mr Brennan thanked everyone who contributed to another successful year in the region.
“I’m so thankful to everyone who nominated a colleague, those who travelled to be here and of course to all the finalists and winners.
“The night is about the people who make Transdev what it is and I could not be prouder.”
Read about the winners and learn more about their achievements below.
Jane Drobysheva & Harry Malcolm
Transdev Sydney/Parramatta Light Rail
Jane and Harry turned environmental responsibility from policy into daily practice. Their Environmental and Sustainability Training course connects Transdev’s big sustainability goals to the choices each Journey Maker makes on the job. With engaging visuals and plain-English content, it stuck, and Journey Makers now take real ownership of their impact on the environment.
Finalists
- Adam Richey – Transdev Queensland
- Christopher Gropp – Transdev Sydney Ferries
- Jeff Hilder – Yarra Trams
Tyrell Solar
Transdev Sydney Ferries
Tyrell works the F3 Parramatta River ferry service, a route with tricky operating conditions and passengers with varied needs. Passengers never see the complexity, because Tyrell is relentless about getting everyone where they’re going. His care has built strong relationships and made him the highlight of many journeys.
Finalists
- Heather Goodman – Transdev Sydney/Parramatta Light Rail
- Luka Nenadic – Transdev Western Australia
- Shondelle Barnes – Yarra Trams
Jake Grundling
Transdev Wellington
Wellington Station Manager Jake is helping bring native kiwi back to Wellington’s southwestern hills. Volunteering with Capital Kiwi as a trapper, coordinator and approved kiwi handler, he clears pests and inspires young people to care for their community’s environment. His message: if kiwi can return, “imagine what we can do for everything else out there.”
Finalists
- Angela Christie & Mauro Bastos-Fernandes – Transdev John Holland Buses
- Darren Fromhold – Transdev Sydney Ferries
- Thomas Yang – Transdev Sydney/Parramatta Light Rail
Rakaia Tumanako-Webber
Transdev John Holland Buses
Rakaia leads with quiet confidence and professionalism in everything she does. As the go-to trainer for recruits stepping into supervisor roles, she builds their capability and confidence. She brings the same care to organising depot events for R U OK? Day and International Women’s Day. Her steady influence is felt across the depot and has the magic touch in making things move seamlessly.
Finalists
- Greta Savickaite-Fletcher – Support Offices
- Jeffery Petersen – Transdev Sydney/Parramatta Light Rail
- Lou Chow – Transdev Wellington
Kevin Szczyglak
Transdev Western Australia
Kevin’s colleague summed him up: “I’m surprised he hasn’t won already!” He rolls up his sleeves daily, from mentoring younger team members to fixing a leaky toilet, while keeping an eye on what will serve the team long term. Approachable, dependable and a sharp problem solver, he’s integral to Transdev and indispensable amongst his fellow Journey Makers.
Finalists
- Claire van Coppenhagen – Yarra Trams
- Michael Holman – Transdev Western Australia
- Mohamed Saleh – Transdev Sydney/Parramatta Light Rail
Connie Castro Ramirez
Support Offices
Connie has been central to one of Transdev’s newest technical initiatives, strengthening its data, modelling and testing. Her focus on getting to the root of every question continues to build trust across the business. Colleagues were clear in their nominations: without Connie, we wouldn’t have the foundations we do today. A deserving High Achiever.
Finalists
- Kristen Clifton – Support offices
- Neesha Sharma – Yarra Trams
- Sarah Kelly – Transdev Sydney/Parramatta Light Rail
Howick & Eastern Recovery Team
Multi-modal
When Howick & Eastern needed expert support, technical specialists from across our businesses in Australia and New Zealand stepped in, many at short notice, to keep services running for the communities that rely on them. The coordination behind it was remarkable. An exemplary operational turnaround and a demonstration of a ‘One Transdev’ attitude at its finest, the Howick & Eastern Recovery Team took home the Brilliant Basics Award.
Greta Savickaite-Fletcher
Transdev Australia & New Zealand
Greta has left her mark on almost every major project across Transdev this year. Three unrelated nominations from senior leaders showed how she puts the “support” in Support Offices. Her work makes it easier for the people running services to deliver them, without any thought given to credit herself – which is why we had to make sure her name was in lights last Friday night.
Rostering and Control team
Transdev Sydney Ferries
Every ferry that leaves the wharf depends on the right people being in the right place at the right time. The Transdev Sydney Ferries Rostering & Control Team, who plan crew schedules and manage services as they run, rebuilt their plans at short notice this year and paid mind to the highest calling of any Journey Maker: keeping our services safe, seamless and moving.
Craig Rieck
Transdev Sydney Ferries
The Lifetime Achievement Award is our highest form of recognition, reserved for a career of lasting impact on the people and communities we serve. Craig has long served public transport, chasing operational excellence but never recognition. For decades, whatever the hour, he’s kept public transport moving, shared what he knows freely and stayed focus on solutions rather than apportioning blame. He’s public transport embodied and we couldn’t be prouder to have gifted the inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award to him.
