(19 Feb 2025, 8:34 pm)xpm wrote Historically there was a bit of mutual respect between drivers and depot fitters - especially if it wasn’t a super depot.  Those were the days when you could call your own depot for advice.  

I would think this is possibly where the issues (to GNE management) are coming from. I believe it is fairly common at some operators for drivers to directly contact engineering teams (I've heard both Stagecoach and Arriva drivers do so over the past couple of months, so it is evidently still common at both of those companies), where advice will be given from the engineers as to if the driver is able to continue in service/bring it home without passengers/stop where they are. The understanding being that the fitters will likely have a good understanding of the problem should sufficient information be provided, and in some situations may be happy for the driver to finish their trip despite a warning light - for example if it's a recurring issue that they know is safe to continue with and can be reset at the depot, potentially caused by a dodgy sensor or similar.

My understanding of the letter is that it means drivers sign to say they will not drive with a red light. GNE management will likely know that drivers are requested to drive with lights (of various colours) on the dashboard, for varying lengths of time (finish the trip, bring it back empty, etc.), and see it as an easy way to get out of a pickle if something should go wrong as a result as all blame will be pinned on the driver. Ultimately drivers, as you say, do this out of mutual respect for engineers - but it also helps out passengers (as in theory there's less time until a replacement is sent/the vehicle is allowed to continue).  All this does is create yet more bad blood.