There’s clearly something to be said for getting in there early when it comes to applying for jobs – even seven years too early. Eleven-year-old schoolboy Peter Witham is testament to that.
The bus-mad lad wrote a passionate letter to the managing director of bus firm Go North East asking for his “dream job” as a bus driver and, as a result, has landed a plum role.
Thanks to his eager correspondence, Peter has beaten all the obvious celebrity choices to be chosen to officially launch the firm’s new £1.7m IndiGo bus service.
Peter, from Sunderland, told MD Kevin Carr in his letter: “My dream job is to work for Go North East. I am saving up to take my car test at 17. I am route learning. I am customer focussed. I am very polite. I would always go the extra mile for customers and be a careful driver.”
Armed with a pair of scissors and dressed in his very own bus driver uniform, Peter will cut the ribbon to declare the 14 brand new IndiGo buses officially open for business.
The £1.7m cash injection will significantly upgrade the standard and quality of bus travel in Peterlee and East Durham.
Peter was thrilled with his new (albeit temporary) position, he said: “I can’t believe it, I am so happy. I love buses so much. I have been on buses a lot ever since I was a baby and I go on the bus to visit my nana.
“I have wanted to write to Go North East for ages to ask about becoming a driver but I never thought I’d get a reply. My dad said I should write to them because you never know.
“My bedroom is full of Go North East stuff; I’ve done drawings of all their buses and I have bus models as well. My favourite bus was the Simplicity but now my favourite is the Indigo.”
Managing director at Go North East, Kevin Carr, was touched by the boy’s interest in his company: “This letter really made me smile when it landed on my desk. It’s fantastic to see such enthusiasm in someone so young. We thought it was only right to give Peter an important role in the bus company he loves so much. And, of course, we will keep his application for the bus driver job on file until he’s 18 and a suitable position becomes available.”
Read Peter’s earnest letter (attached).
The new indiGo buses have leather seats, LED lighting and a new, fresh, eye catching liveries.
The service’s slogan is indiGo to here, indiGo to there and the buses connect to Durham, Sunderland, Newcastle, Middlesbrough and beyond. For more information go to https://www.simplygo.com/news/east-durham-will-soon-become-indigo/
Go North East has a fleet of 680 buses and is the north east’s third largest employer with 2,100 staff. The company runs services in Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, Durham and Teesside.