Greyhound Australia Named Australia's Best Transport Company

Forget the airlines, Australia's international tourists and young travellers have voted Greyhound Australia the Best Transport Company in the country at the annual Golden Backpack Awards.

More than 450 industry leaders attended the award ceremony run by popular travel magazine TNT.

The awards aim to reward companies who put extra effort into making travel around Australia a memorable experience.

Chief Executive Officer Rob Thomas said Greyhound staff should be congratulated.

"Forget flying, this award proves what backpackers want is to be able to immerse themselves in the local culture," Mr Thomas said.

"We've worked hard to ensure international visitors to Australia experience the best of what this vast country has to offer and it's humbling for our efforts to be recognised in this way."

"In the past 12 months we've introduced a new product range called Greyhound Adventures. "These popular initiatives offer adventure seekers the opportunity to exchange kilometres for action filled travel offers such as a three day Uluru tour, an adventure in Kakadu, a Yarra Valley wine tour or a voyage along the Great Ocean Road.

"They not only add a new dimension to experience of travelling with Greyhound but also support local tourism operators throughout Australia.

"Greyhound is also one of the most environmentally efficient travel operators in Australia with its travel green program giving passengers the option to offset the CO2 emissions from their trip. This also appeals to the young backpacker market.

"Our objective is to set the standard for green transport throughout Australia, minimising emissions and maximising the efficiency of travel. Passengers also have the opportunity to offset their carbon emissions for just $1 per booking."

Other finalists in the Best Transport Company category included Virgin Blue, Tiger Airways, Travellers Auto Barn and Premier Motor services.

Greyhound Australia is now the only national coach company operating in Australia after the acquirement of other competing coach brands such as McCafferty's, Pioneer and Bus Australia.

For more information visit the Greyhound website at www.greyhound.com.au or call 1300GREYHOUND (1300 473 946).