Bus Driver

Join the Elite Driver Academy and Serve Your Community with Pride!

Being a bus driver is a job with real purpose, and days are never the same as you’re out and about driving around the region. Our drivers help people to get out and about whether that’s to work or school, a night out or a trip to the shops or doctors, so it’s a really important job and our garages are real communities in their own right with a real team spirit.

What will I earn?

Existing PCV licence holders joining the company will earn £14.84 per hour (£30,095) from day one.

Non PCV licence holders start on £12.21 per hour rising to £12.72 per hour once qualified (approx 4 weeks). This increases to £14.84 per hour after a year in the job.

This takes the basic annual wage for Go North East bus drivers on a guaranteed 39 hour week to £25,796 in the first year and £30,095 after year one (or from day one for existing licence holders).

Overtime is also regularly available if you'd like to boost your earnings – it's not uncommon for drivers to earn around £33,500 a year!

Where will I be based?

Almost 2,000 people work at the company, driving and maintaining its fleet of 500 buses at garages across the region in Gateshead, Sunderland, Washington, North Tyneside, Hexham and Consett. We have ongoing vacancies at most locations and you can request which location you'd like to work at and we will try and accommodate or offer you the nearest location of your choice.

Do I need to have a bus driving licence to apply?

No previous bus driving experience is required to become a bus driver, thanks to our award-winning in-house Training Academy, where full training is provided. All we ask is that you have a minimum 6 months' car driving experience.

We'll teach you how to drive a bus, put you through your bus driving test, whilst also covering accessibility and customer services training. Ongoing training will also be provided.