(28 Jul 2026, 8:30 pm)TransitObserver wrote Hi all, 

Im hoping someone could shed some light on these 2 depots. I’ve been working at Stagecoach coming up on 11 years but I’m wanting a change. I know both depots you do all routes which would be a great change compared to being stuck to 1 route every day when at Stagecoach but my question is which depot is better? Percy Main have the coastal routes whereas Washington have the newer buses and the flagship X1 service(s). 

Hopefully someone on here could let me know which depot they think is better? 

Many thanks

(29 Jul 2026, 7:23 am)TransitObserver wrote I have been looking at Arriva Blyth but from my understanding the hours are lower than both stagecoach and GNE, with Arriva only guaranteeing 36hrs and they work around 38hrs, which is why I’ve been looking more at GNE who guarantees 39hrs.

I don’t mind travelling, I’d have to travel a fair amount to get to either Percy Main or Washington

I originally started at South Shields back in 1990, which in my opinion was a fabulous depot, great drivers and back then great management, the management used to get involved with drivers as work colleagues not as now ,two separate groups of staff. I now work at Sunderland Depot ( or Deptford as some still call it) and the drivers are great ( majority) I do miss the depot happiness of Shields , but you make new work mates or even friends , so you go where you wish , both depots have a variety of services, Washington do longer runs (50 South Shields to Durham) and all of Washington locals. 
Good luck.