Member Article

Go North East launches recruitment drive to fill 250 jobs

Go North East, the region’s largest bus company, has announced it is on a mission to add new faces to its fleet, as it looks to fill up to 250 vacancies.

The Gateshead-based firm, which has driver job vacancies at several North East depots, is holding a recruitment event in Sunderland to help find new bus drivers.

The news comes after the company last month revealed a £10.5m investment in 47 new buses, bringing the firm’s total capital spend over the last five years to £50m.

The recruitment event, which is being held at the Stadium of Light, takes place on April 17th between 10am and 2pm in the Yellow Car Park.

Those attending can discuss various job opportunities, fill in application forms and test-drive a bus to see what it’s like behind the wheel. The firm has a particular requirement for drivers at its Washington and Deptford locations.

No professional driving experience is needed, only a passion for customer service and a clean full UK driving licence that’s been held for at least two years. The company also provides free, fully paid bus driver training to gain a Passenger Carrying Vehicle (PCV) licence.

Emma Abbs, 38, from Sunderland,has been a Go North East driver for three years. SHe commented: “I love the independent nature of the job. When you’re out on the road you’re on your own to an extent, and you’ve got nobody to answer to.”

Obafemi Adeleye, 44, from Yarm joined Go North East in October 2015 and says the passengers are the best thing about the job: “Before joining Go North East I’d driven buses in London, but the passengers up here are much more friendlier. They say ‘thank you’ when they get off the bus. They give you sweets. I’d recommend it to anyone.”

Go North East has a fleet of 660 buses and is the region’s third largest employer with 2,100 staff. The company runs services in Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, Durham and Teesside.