(17 Aug 2014, 5:38 pm)mrnut85 wrote They don't double up as revenue protection, they are revenue protection that provide assistance at events such as the airshow. I'm not trying to make it a who knows more but one thing I hate is enthusiasts who try to tell bus company employees they are wrong are certain subjects. I'm not saying that is what you have tried with me but I have seen it myself and it really pisses me off.
I'm an enthusiast who has family links within Sunderland depot, as well as a lot of family friends as drivers, engineers, and whatever this 'supervisor' role is. I think NEB was the first to hear about the first batch of gas buses at Sunderland over a year ahead of their arrival, originally due to vague details given by myself (when it was just initially discussed from management to those further down the chain) and later confirmed by Kuyoyo a few weeks later when he'd managed to get details. You shouldn't assume that enthusiasts don't know a thing or two about the company. Some enthusiasts will know a hell of a lot more than employees, for certain companies... I'm not saying that applies here, but given your description of how it works at South Shields, I'm positive it works differently at Sunderland.
These lads aren't dedicated for revenue protection, as far as I know. From what I've been told, their job entails that the least - as they're more commonly found in the City Centre or at the Wheatsheaf making sure things are on time and assisting customers with any queries they may have, as I said before, similar to the ones on Blackett Street in Newcastle.
They do provide assistant at special events as I said before, and they also attend any accidents that occur. I'm not sure if you were driving on the day when Park Lane got shut off due to an accident with a GNE Laser bus at the entrance/exit of the Interchange, but two of the lads were out then too, guiding drivers and passengers at both Park Lane and Green Terrace.
As I said before, they cover for drivers if there's been a breakdown or something else which has caused the scheduled driver to be stuck at one end of the route. They're out on service 16 a lot as if something happens towards the Hastings Hill end of the route, they need to get another bus out from the Wheatsheaf to North Sunderland.
As a kid, I used to go out with them and just chat. I liked riding buses so these lads and some of the drivers who are family/family friends used to invite me out to go round with them. Was a bit of company for them too, if nothing else.
Like I say, these lads don't have a set job and every day is different - that's why they enjoy it so much. Next time one of them is round mine, I'll ask them what their official job title is (if I remember), and post back...