Waverley hoppa Community Transport has been honoured with a coveted sustainability impact award at CREST23, Surrey’s only green business awards.

The Sustainability Impact award for businesses with a turnover of over £1-million, was awarded to hoppa in recognition of how it consistently improves people’s lives through its day-to-day business practices, and its commitment to reducing its carbon emissions.

As well as delivering a door-to-door transport service to more than 60,000 passengers per year, hoppa is making good progress on its journey to net zero. Milestones have included the addition of two electric vehicles to its fleet with two more on order thanks to funding from Surrey County Council; a collaboration with Clipper Automotive to convert its diesel buses to electric; delivering an uber-style digital demand responsive transport service in Cranleigh and Farnham on behalf of Surrey County Council; and promoting greener travel by optimising its booking and operation processes in partnership with Padam Mobility.

The prestigious award was announced on 26 October at the CREST23 awards ceremony at WWF’s Living Planet Centre and was presented to trustees Rob Stansbury and Suzy Naughalty.

Chair of trustees, Rob Stansbury said: “We are very proud to have received this award which reaffirms our commitment to serving the community of which we have been a cornerstone for more than 20 years. Our purpose is to deliver sustainable mobility for the isolated, vulnerable and disabled in, and around, Waverley borough. As a charity, for us to fulfil our purpose, we need financial sustainability so we can continue on our journey to net zero and accomplish environmental sustainability. We also aim to achieve societal sustainability, by remaining relevant to, and attractive as a transport choice for, the next generation of passengers.

“We are dedicated to playing our part in changing behaviour and encouraging people to choose us as their eco-conscious transport solution. Waverley hoppa is on a journey which will see us continuing to prioritise environmental responsibility and community well-being.”

As well as being presented with a trophy, hoppa won a free sustainability consultation with the Centre for Environment and Sustainability at the University of Surrey. The Sustainability Impact award was sponsored by Holdsway.