After nearly two decades behind the wheel, Grafton-based Busways driver Marinus Philipse has been named the BusNSW Driver of the Year for Rural and Regional services. The award reflects not only his skill on the road but the genuine care and kindness he brings to every journey.
His approach is simple: kindness and reliability. When a nervous child boarded for the first time, he offered reassurance by saying “I’ll look after you.”, which earned him praise from the parents.  It’s small gestures like these, repeated thousands of times over the years, that set Marinus apart. Recommendations came naturally, recognition never sought.
"I just try to make customers feel as comfortable as they can," Philipse explains, with the kind of humility that makes the award even more fitting. "I greet people like I'd like to be greeted."
Adam Turner, Area Manager, lower North coast says: “Marinus embodies professionalism and warmth. He keeps a low profile but delivers exceptional service every day. His skill, attitude, and commitment to the community make a real difference.”
From school runs to town routes, every day is different, and every passenger counts. Marinus thrives on the variety, the interactions, and the simple satisfaction of making people feel safe and valued on the bus.
Before mastering Grafton's streets, Philipse spent 30 years in the dairy industry, carting milk from Bowral farms in the pre-dawn darkness. That work taught him about reliability, about showing up when people depend on you. He's brought that same ethic to every school run, every town service, every passenger interaction since.
In a time when automation grows and daily life feels more digital than ever, Marinus win is a reminder that public transport is still built on people. On drivers who notice, who care, and who make the journey feel safe. Twenty years on the road and countless moments of quiet excellence that have finally found their spotlight.