Press release —
North East engineers with more than century of service honoured
Two engineers from Go North East have been presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award after dedicating more than a century between them to the company.
Billy Cummings and John Jackson have both worked for the bus operator for 52 years.
Billy, is a trimmer at the company's Saltmeadows engineering site, upholstering bus seats used by drivers and passengers as well as refurbishing vehicle interiors. He began working at Go North East when he was just 16.
Billy says: “I always wanted a practical, hands-on role but I never thought I’d spend my career making bus seats for thousands of drivers and passengers!
“I still love my job after all these years, especially the camaraderie and laughter in the workshop.”
John is an electrician at Go North East’s Riverside depot. Back in the 1974, his brother was a bus driver and secured John an engineering job.
He says: “At the time, I was just happy to have a job because unemployment was so high.”
Like Billy, John appreciates the friendships he’s made at work, saying he’s ‘worked with a smashing bunch of lads over the years’.
Ben Gilligan, Managing Director at Go North East, said: “We’re so fortunate to have long serving colleagues like Billy and John who have dedicated their entire career to the bus industry.
“Go North East wouldn’t be the same without their years of experience and expertise. It’s a privilege to present Billy and John with a Lifetime Achievement Award to recognise their hard work and dedication over the decades.”
Billy and John received Lifetime Achievement Awards as part of Go North East’s annual Go.B.E. Awards which celebrates colleagues across the business.
If you fancy joining the team, find out more about a career at Go North East on their website.
ENDS
Notes to editors
Go North East runs a network of bus routes across the North East region including Newcastle, Sunderland, Durham, and surrounding areas.
The Go-Ahead Group is one of the UK’s leading providers of public transport, enabling more than a billion passenger journeys each year on its bus and rail services. Go-Ahead places great importance on partnership, adopting a collaborative approach with governments, local communities and strategic partners; developing and operating services that create long-term value for all.
For more information about Go-Ahead Group visit www.go-ahead.com.
