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Joanne Keenan presented with her Team GNE Bus Driver of the Year certificate
Joanne Keenan presented with her Team GNE Bus Driver of the Year certificate

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Go North East drivers ranked amongst the UK’s best at national Bus Driver of the Year competition

Go North East bus drivers Joanne Keenan, from Washington, and Sean Wheatley, from Chester-le-Street, have been acknowledged as two of the best in the UK at this year’s national Bus Driver of the Year competition.

Following a rigorous internal competition, Joanne was crowned as Go North East's overall driver of the year and went on to compete in the national finals of the UK Bus Driver of the Year competition earlier this month in Blackpool.

Joanne was also joined by Sean who took second place in the internal competition and the pair went on to finish in 65th and 66th place, respectively, after being judged by a panel of experts, which places them in the top 0.1% of bus drivers in the UK.

Martijn Gilbert, Managing Director at Go North East, “I was delighted to see two of our finest drivers fly the flag for Go North East at the national Bus Driver of the Year competition in Blackpool.

“Whilst it wasn't a national win on this occasion, it was the company's first time competing in the national scheme in recent years so a new experience and one which will stand them in good stead for next year. To get through to the finals and go head to head with the UK's 82 very best bus drivers is a phenomenal achievement in itself – something that we and fellow colleagues are proud of and we're sure our local community is too!"

To find out more about Go North East, visit www.gonortheast.co.uk.

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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