How long does it take to get onto the X10 rota.

Was nearly wiped out by the X21 today (how ironic) at the roundabout for the new retail park in Tindale. I was pulling out from the retail park and a NIS X21 comes barrelling along the bypass past the football club and doesn't bother to give way. Literally had to slam the brakes on in the middle of the roundabout to avoid hitting it.

Even more ironically, from the small glimpse I got of the driver I believe I've seen them before training other drivers!

The 3/4/2024 17:00 X21 Newcastle-Bishop Aukland trip had a bit of a issue when the young driver seemed to have a hiccup at the roundabout at J63 to CLS and instead the bus ended up doing a extra trip to J62 and going straight to Durham bus station where the impacted passengers were directed to 21 and X21 northbound services at the set down before they entered the bus station. A slightly older GNE driver/trainer was on board (who boarded at Gateshead) who apologised for the issues an told the affected passengers what to do, which was a good thing. We all make mistakes, but it seems like the newest drivers are very young and should not be thrown in the deep end before they gain some experience tbh.

(04 Jul 2024, 12:05 am)solsburian wrote The 3/4/2024 17:00 X21 Newcastle-Bishop Aukland trip had a bit of a issue when the young driver seemed to have a hiccup at the roundabout at J63 to CLS and instead the bus ended up doing a extra trip to J62 and going straight to Durham bus station where the impacted passengers were directed to 21 and X21 northbound services at the set down before they entered the bus station. A slightly older GNE driver/trainer was on board (who boarded at Gateshead) who apologised for the issues an told the affected passengers what to do, which was a good thing. We all make mistakes, but it seems like the newest drivers are very young and should not be thrown in the deep end before they gain some experience tbh.

Not sure there's many depots with minibus rotas anymore, so they get thrown in on the big bus routes immediately.

I've noticed a lot of young drivers in Sunderland thrown straight onto peak 60s, 20s and 56s and its not the best.

All drivers operate all services (bar scholars) at Sunderland depot. It is the same at Washington depot.

Do you need to be a special type of driver to drive the scholars bus??!!

(05 Jul 2024, 2:51 pm)Rob44 wrote Do you need to be a special type of driver to drive the scholars bus??!!

I believe only Durham require an enhanced DBS check to work on scholars, it's down to the bus companies own checks on services in T&W for scholars.

(05 Jul 2024, 2:51 pm)Rob44 wrote Do you need to be a special type of driver to drive the scholars bus??!!

Durham you need an enhanced DBS, completion of a safeguarding course and a badge.

Tyne and Wear, nothing additional is needed so technically any driver could cover it. However, how many of them would actually want to is another matter entirely.

The younger drivers are a little more cautious and seem obsessed with perfectly lining up with a bus stop.

Big fan of the older guys, foot down, chasing yellow traffic lights, find passengers an irritant and a special grunt as you leave the bus

(05 Jul 2024, 7:55 pm)morritt89 wrote Durham you need an enhanced DBS, completion of a safeguarding course and a badge.

Tyne and Wear, nothing additional is needed so technically any driver could cover it. However, how many of them would actually want to is another matter entirely.

Only right.
Are you not required to have a DBS when getting a job?

(06 Jul 2024, 9:05 am)idiot wrote Only right.
Are you not required to have a DBS when getting a job?

A standard DBS check is part of the pre-employment check that Go North East does for all its drivers (and is a Nexus contract stipulation for their secured school bus services).

Only Durham County Council insist upon an Enhanced DBS check for their contracts.

Thanks for the reply.

But Safeguarding training should be introduced to all drivers - they come into so many children and potential vunerable adults everyday,

Hopefully you meant to say - they come into CONTACT with so ...

I'll get my coat !

Haha.. Yes contact with!

(05 Jul 2024, 10:33 pm)Ambassador wrote The younger drivers are a little more cautious and seem obsessed with perfectly lining up with a bus stop.

Big fan of the older guys, foot down, chasing yellow traffic lights, find passengers an irritant and a special grunt as you leave the bus

As one of the older ones, Your Welcome