Go North East bus drivers Joanne Keenan, from Washington, and Sean Wheatley, from Chester-le-Street, have been acknowledged as two of the best in the UK at this year’s national Bus Driver of the Year competition.
Following a rigorous internal competition, Joanne was crowned as Go North East’s overall driver of the year and went on to compete in the national finals of the UK Bus Driver of the Year competition earlier this month in Blackpool.
Joanne was also joined by Sean who took second place in the internal competition and the pair went on to finish in 65th and 66th place, respectively, after being judged by a panel of experts, which places them in the top 0.1% of bus drivers in the UK.
Martijn Gilbert, Managing Director at Go North East, “I was delighted to see two of our finest drivers fly the flag for Go North East at the national Bus Driver of the Year competition in Blackpool.
“Whilst it wasn’t a national win on this occasion, it was the company’s first time competing in the national scheme in recent years so a new experience and one which will stand them in good stead for next year. To get through to the finals and go head to head with the UK’s 82 very best bus drivers is a phenomenal achievement in itself – something that we and fellow colleagues are proud of and we’re sure our local community is too!”