Trainee 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 £15.51 per hour (£31,454) from day one. Non‑PCV licence holders start on £12.71 per hour rising to £13.29 per hour once qualified (approximately 4 weeks). This increases to £15.51 per hour after a year. This takes the basic annual wage for Go North East bus drivers on a guaranteed 39‑hour week to £26,861 in the first year and £31,454 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 £34,000 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 of six 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 service training. Ongoing training will also be provided.

Benefits

• Weekly pay and enhanced overtime rates. All drivers are paid directly into their bank each Thursday (first payment is 1 week in lieu). Annual pay review.
• 20 days holiday per year rising to 25 days after 4 years plus bank holidays (lieu days if working).
• Money purchase company pension scheme. In addition to your own contributions Go North East will also contribute into your pension fund.
• Sick pay after 2 years company service.
• Fully funded company uniform including shoes.
• Free eyesight tests.
• Shopping discounts saving money on over 1,400 retailers including Asda, Sainsbury’s, B&Q, cinema tickets, restaurants, hotels, days out and more.
• Free or discounted travel for yourself, partner and up to 3 children across the North East.
• Fantastic progression and development opportunities including our Talent Development Programme.
• Sports and social club organising events for colleagues including a monthly draw to win up to £1,000.
• Yearly Recognition Awards and Long Service Awards highlighting the fantastic work and commitment demonstrated by our colleagues.
• Child care vouchers saving up to £933 per year.
• Cycle to work and recommend a friend schemes.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• Access to Blink, our company social media platform. Keeping you up to date with the latest news and events happening across Go North East.
• Part of the Go Ahead Group with opportunities for secondment.
• Full Mentor Programme providing training, support and guidance throughout your initial weeks on the road.

What you need to know

• While in training, each candidate is under constant evaluation and must make suitable progression towards meeting our high standards. You will need to take 5 tests while in the driving school and in the first 4 weeks: 3 of these tests are theory tests and will take place in the first week. The first practical test is in the second week, with the final practical test normally in the fourth week.
• Candidates are expected to wear smart clothing and present themselves in a neat and tidy way throughout their employment (no casual clothing) including while in training.
• Drivers work shifts, which include weekend operation. 3 shift categories, early, middle and late. Please see sample rota attached for more detail of start and finish times including shift length.
• 30 minutes unpaid meal relief per day.
• Guaranteed long weekend every 6 weeks.
• Continued employment subject to a minimum of 6‑month probationary period (may be extended in some cases) and also the receipt of acceptable references and criminal record checks.
• Once you’re employed with us we’re committed to investing in your training development. For this training we do expect a commitment from yourselves and therefore if you do leave the company after we’ve invested we would look to recover some of the costs towards that training.
• If you join us without a licence we’ll put you through your training to acquire one. We do indemnify this for £2,500 so if you leave within 2 years we will seek to recover some of that cost with the bond reducing around £100 a month for each month you are with us. At the end of the 2 years the bond is fully wiped. For 2 years you’ll also pay £10 a week to assist with the payment of the bond; if you’re with us for 2 years this is all returned to you – with a bonus, that equates to £1,140!