Skip to content
 L-R: Robert Harvey, David Tone, Gary Manning, Stephen Millen, Kevin Carr, William Brown, Malcolm Birkett, David Robinson, Barry Newton, in front of the iconic Tyne Bridge.
L-R: Robert Harvey, David Tone, Gary Manning, Stephen Millen, Kevin Carr, William Brown, Malcolm Birkett, David Robinson, Barry Newton, in front of the iconic Tyne Bridge.

News -

​Employees honoured for 2,390 years on the buses

Seventy-four Go North East employees have been honoured for reaching significant long service milestones achieved by very few people these days.

Between them they’ve clocked up an incredible 2,390 years of getting bus passengers from A to B.

The employees all received special commendation awards for their 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 and 50 years’ service at a recent celebration evening.

Bus drivers Michael Hendry, 67, and Keith Rutherford, 63, have each given 45 years’ commitment to Go North East.

Both men joined Go North East’s forerunner firm, the Sunderland District Omnibus Company, as conductors when they were young men and then progressed on to become drivers.

Speaking about his 45 years’ service, Michael said: “I’ve made lots of friends through Go North East. I’ve enjoyed driving the buses and meeting the passengers over the years.”

The Long Service Awards ceremony took place at the Hilton hotel in Gateshead.

The honours were presented on stage by managing director Kevin Carr and comedian and BBC radio presenter Sue Sweeney was compere at the event.

The award winners were given gifts and enjoyed drinks, music, a three-course dinner and dancing. Many of the award winners brought along their partners to help them celebrate.

Kevin Carr, managing director, who himself picked up an award for 40 years’ service, said: “The Long Service Awards event is about coming together to applaud our loyal, hardworking people who, quite frankly, provide a cracking service in a variety of roles, from engineering, to driving, to customer service.”

Topics

Regions

On the Go since 1913

Around 175,000 journeys are made on Go North East bus services every day to travel around this wonderful region. Travelling to work or education, to visit friends and family, to have a night out, or to visit one of the region's many tourist and leisure attractions.

For over 100 years, Go North East has connected the region's towns and villages with the cities of Newcastle, Durham and Sunderland and currently operates across Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, County Durham and into Tees Valley.

Employing over 2,000 local people, with a fleet of almost 700 buses and coaches and an annual turnover of £100m, the company is the regional subsidiary of the Go-Ahead Group plc, one of the UK's leading providers of passenger transport.

Go North East

117 Queen Street
NE8 2UA Gateshead