BUS driver Phil Hadley gets so many compliments from his passengers that his colleagues joke they are now weighed instead of counted.

The 64-year-old works for Brighton and Hove Buses and is hugely popular with customers.

He switches on the public announcement system on his bus to welcome and say goodbye to every person getting on and off.

He also offers his first name and tells people he’s there if they need any help or want to talk.

Phil tells passengers who are struggling to board or disembark to take their time and not feel rushed and wishes everyone a wonderful day.

His efforts have led to Phil being highly recommended in the frontline employee of the year category in the National Transport Awards last week.

Brighton and Hove Buses also picked up the bus operator of the year accolade.

Phil has also made it to the finals in the top national bus driver category of the UK Bus Awards, which are announced next month.

Phil said: “The only reason I do what I do is because I want to build a better community to live in.

“I just want to make people feel happy.”

In its citation for the awards, the bus company said Phil’s regulars often clapped and cheered him and he has leaflets in his cab for the homeless.

If one gets on the bus he can point them to agencies where they can get help.

Phil volunteers to take part in every community event planned by the bus company.

On one occasion, he slipped and fell during a bus changeover and had to be taken to hospital.

His only thought was that he would let down his customers.

The citation says: “Phil’s unconventional approach has tapped in to a deep-rooted social disconnection that we all increasingly feel in our lives.

“Phil is authentic and it’s this that totally disarms his bus customers.

“When he chats to his customers and they tell him their problems – how they’ve lost their cat or purse or are feeling a bit down – they know that he genuinely cares.

“His insistence on chatting breaks down those social barriers we all build to protect ourselves from the loneliness and disconnection of contemporary life.

“His authenticity reminds his passengers how much they want to belong, to feel valued and be part of something bigger and more meaningful – in short to be part of a community.

“In his 28 years as a bus driver with Brighton and Hove Buses, he has been a spool of thread that has helped to sew the community together.”