Moggill local Colin Hobson has been named a finalist in the 2025 Queensland Bus Driver of the Year Awards, and his community is rallying behind him.
Read: Moggill Emerges as One of Brisbane’s Fastest-Growing Suburbs Amid Housing Market Shift
From lattes to school runs
Before taking on his current role, Mr Hobson was a familiar face in the local café scene. He and his wife Tamara ran the popular Moccabella Café at Bellbowrie Plaza and One Table Cafe at Kenmore Hills for many years before stepping back from the demands of small business life.
When the couple stepped back from the demands of running a small business, Mr Hobson took on a new role serving the community. He joined Southern Cross Transit as a school bus driver, driving the semi-rural S60 route linking Chuwar and Indooroopilly, a run that clocks up roughly 160 kilometres each day.
For some students, the daily commute stretches to nearly two hours each way, so Mr Hobson has made it his business to ensure the journey is something kids actually look forward to. Fridays have become a highlight, with music trivia and sing-alongs a regular fixture, and no birthday goes unmarked — the whole bus joins in for a chorus of “Happy Birthday.”
About the awards
The Queensland Bus Driver of the Year Awards are run by Translink to recognise drivers who go above and beyond to make travel safe, friendly and reliable for everyday Queenslanders.
This year, more than 1,300 nominations came in from across the state. From that pool, a judging panel selected nine finalists across three categories:
- South East Queensland Bus Driver of the Year — recognising drivers serving the state’s busiest urban communities
- Regional Bus Driver of the Year — honouring those keeping passengers connected in rural and remote Queensland
- School Bus Driver of the Year — celebrating drivers dedicated to getting children to and from school safely every day
Mr Hobson is one of three finalists in the School Bus Driver of the Year category, competing for a title that recognises drivers dedicated to getting children to and from school safely every day.
Read: Petition for Full Bus Services for Western Areas of Pullenvale Ward Launched
Cast your vote
Voting for the 2025 Queensland Bus Driver of the Year Awards is open now and every vote counts. To support Mr Hobson in the School Bus Driver of the Year category, head to Translink’s official voting page and select Colin Hobson.
According to Cr Greg Adermann, who publicly backed Mr Hobson’s nomination, it is precisely his customer service mindset that sets him apart.
“I hope the many local residents who know his obsession with providing good customer service will do likewise,” Cr Adermann wrote, urging followers to cast their votes.
Votes must be submitted before 11:59pm AEST on Sunday 22 March 2026. Winners will be announced in April 2026.
Published 9-March-2026
