(24 Nov 2015, 12:26 pm)GX03 SVC wrote An Ashington driver was suspended the other day for "deliberately running the service late" when he was running 35 minutes late on the X20.
The driver took over the bus 10 minutes late, the headlights were rubbish, all he could see was pitch black and the reflections from the window, an Eddie Stobart lorry was attempting to turn around causing another 15 minute delay. The depot manager then un-suspended him when they saw that he was telling the truth.
Driver rarely faces action, eh?!
I could point out some drivers from that depot who are late (at least 5 minutes) pretty much every time I get on their bus. There are common themes, driving at 15-20 in a 30, taking forever to pull away from stops (as in not even attempting to pull away for quite a while after the passenger boards), being VERY hesitant, taking forever with the ticket machine etc.
So, it seems while they punish drivers who aren't intentionally running late, they let others get away with it.