Service resumes from Saturday 2 December
9 months ago
Service resumes from Saturday 2 December
We are pleased to confirm that this morning our latest pay offer was accepted by Unite members. This means there will be no further industrial action across the region.
All Go North East services will now operate as normal from Saturday 2 December.
To say ‘thank you’ for your patience, all single and return tickets* are FREE for everyone from Saturday 2nd – Friday 8th December.
Tickets will be available onboard our buses. App discount codes are unavailable at this time.
We look forward to welcoming you back with us.
Find out more: Welcome back, this week’s on us - Go North East
Past Updates:
- 23 November 2023
- 13 November 2023
- 6 November 2023
- 30 October 2023
- 27 October 2023
- 25 October 2023
- 19 October 2023
- 13 October 2023
- 12 October 2023
- 6 October 2023
- 30 September 2023
- 29 September 2023
- 27 September 2023
Update on industrial action: 23 November 11:00AM
Due to the ongoing industrial action, we are unfortunately unable to provide a normal service. We are running all school services, certain contracted services, and we are aiming to restore a skeleton service on as many routes as possible. These duties are being covered by office workers and managers with bus driving licences, as well as regular drivers who have opted to return to work to keep essential services moving. These services may be subject to delay due to reduced frequencies in operation - please be kind to our team who are providing them.
We apologise for the disruption during this time, and we remain committed to reaching a solution that will bring an end to the industrial action.
Following consultation with Nexus and Durham County Council; from Monday 27 November, we will begin to offer a skeleton service on service X1 from around 9:30am to 2:30pm. This will serve all stops between Springwell Village, Wrekenton, QE Hospital and Gateshead, due to other services on Old Durham Road not operating.
In partnership with Northumberland County Council, we will operate two additional journeys on service 74, as part of their skeleton timetable operated by Go North East and other bus companies.
The complete list of services operating from Monday 27 November are as follows:
- Service 1: Gateshead to Metrocentre - every 30 minutes, view timetable here
- Service 20: Sunderland to Durham - every 30 minutes, view timetable here
- Service S20: Sacriston to Framwellgate Moor - special timetable, view timetable here
- Service 21: Gateshead to Chester-le-Street - every 20 minutes, view timetable here
- Service 29: Gateshead to Chester-le-Street - every 60 minutes, view timetable here
- Service 60: Sunderland to Seaham - every 60 minutes, view timetable here
- Service 65: Seaham to Hetton-le-Hole - every 60 minutes, view timetable here
- Service 74: Hexham to Ponteland - special timetable, view timetable here
- Service 78: Stanley to Consett - every 60 minutes, view timetable here
- Service 79: Barnwell to Hall Lane Estate - special timetable, view timetable here
- Service 84 85: Concord to The Galleries - special timetable, view timetable here
- Service R7: Blackhall Mill to Crawcrook - special timetable to replace service 10A, view timetable here
- Service V5: The Dene to Crookhall - every 60 minutes, view timetable here
- Service X1: Peterlee to Gateshead - every 30 minutes, serving all stops between Springwell Village and Gateshead, view timetable here
- Service X5: Lanchester to Consett - every 60 minutes, view timetable here
- Service X45: Consett to Newcastle - every 60 minutes, serving all stops between Metrocentre and Newcastle, view timetable here
- All school bus services (including services 18A, 28S and 85A) - normal service
- 91 Newcastle to Team Valley - normal service, view timetable here
- 335 Killingworth to Hadrian Park - normal service, view timetable here
- 351 Newcastle to Whitley Bay - normal service (Monday - Saturday only) until approximately 7pm, view timetable here
- The last departures are 19:20 from Whitley Bay to Newcastle and 20:25 from Newcastle to Whitley Bay.
- Unfortunately, service 351 will not run on Sundays.
- 359 Killingworth to Whitley Bay - normal service, view timetable here
- 392 Marden Estate to HMRC Benton View - normal service, view timetable here
- 553 Wallsend to Freeman Hospital - normal service, view timetable here
- 680 Hexham to Bellingham - limited service operated by Howard Snaith under contract to Northumberland County Council, view timetable here
- 683 Hexham Town Service - limited service operated by Rural Link under contract to Northumberland County Council, view timetable here
- 684 Hexham to Heddon-on-the-Wall - limited service operated by Howard Snaith and Rural Link under contract to Northumberland County Council, view timetable here
- Connections can be made at Heddon-on-the-Wall to/from Stagecoach service 685 to/from Newcastle
- 687 Hexham to Newbrough - limited service operated by Howard Snaith and Go North East under contract to Northumberland County Council, view timetable here
- 688 Hexham to Allenheads - limited service operated by Howard Snaith under contract to Northumberland County Council, view timetable here
- 689 Hexham to Consett - limited service operated by Rural Link under contract to Northumberland County Council, view timetable here
- 794 Stanley to DWP Tyneview Park - normal service, view timetable here
- 933 Rowlands Gill to Team Valley - normal service, view timetable here
- 941 Stanhope Street to Team Valley - normal service, view timetable here
- S2 Team Valley Sainsbury's Free Bus - normal service, view timetable here
- X62 Peterlee to Durham - normal service, view timetable here
Northumberland County Council has arranged with external companies to operate a limited service in the Hexham area.
All these services are in addition to all school bus journeys and certain contracted services which we were already operating. As and when we are able to provide more services, we will provide another update to customers.
Update on industrial action: 13 November 2:00PM
Due to the ongoing industrial action, we are unfortunately unable to provide a normal service. We are running all school services, certain contracted services, and we are aiming to restore a skeleton service on as many routes as possible. These duties are being covered by office workers and managers with bus driving licences, as well as regular drivers who have opted to return to work to keep essential services moving. These services may be subject to delay due to reduced frequencies in operation - please be kind to our team who are providing them.
We apologise for the disruption during this time, and we remain committed to reaching a solution that will bring an end to the industrial action.
Following consultation with Nexus and Durham County Council; from Tuesday 14th November, we will begin to offer a skeleton service from around 9:30am to 2:30pm on the following routes:
- Service 1: Gateshead to Metrocentre - every 30 minutes, view timetable here
- Service 20: Sunderland to Durham - every 30 minutes, view timetable here
- Service 21: Gateshead to Chester-le-Street - every 20 minutes, view timetable here
- Service 29: Gateshead to Chester-le-Street - every 60 minutes, view timetable here
- Service 60: Sunderland to Seaham - every 60 minutes, view timetable here
- Service 65: Seaham to Hetton-le-Hole - every 60 minutes, view timetable here
- Service 78: Stanley to Consett - every 60 minutes, view timetable here
- Service 79: Barnwell to Hall Lane Estate - special timetable, view timetable here
- Service 84 85: Concord to The Galleries - special timetable, view timetable here
- Service R7: Blackhall Mill to Crawcrook - special timetable to replace service 10A, view timetable here
- Service V5: The Dene to Crookhall - every 60 minutes, view timetable here
- Service X5: Lanchester to Consett - every 60 minutes, view timetable here
- Service X45: Consett to Newcastle - every 60 minutes, view timetable here
- All school bus services (including services 18A, 28S and 85A) - normal service
- 91 Newcastle to Team Valley - normal service, view timetable here
- 335 Killingworth to Hadrian Park - normal service, view timetable here
- 351 Newcastle to Whitley Bay - normal service (Monday - Saturday only) until approximately 7pm, view timetable here
- The last departures are 19:20 from Whitley Bay to Newcastle and 20:25 from Newcastle to Whitley Bay.
- Unfortunately, service 351 will not run on Sundays.
- 359 Killingworth to Whitley Bay - normal service, view timetable here
- 392 Marden Estate to HMRC Benton View - normal service, view timetable here
- 553 Wallsend to Freeman Hospital - normal service, view timetable here
- 680 Hexham to Bellingham - limited service operated by Howard Snaith under contract to Northumberland County Council, view timetable here
- 683 Hexham Town Service - limited service operated by Rural Link under contract to Northumberland County Council, view timetable here
- 684 Hexham to Heddon-on-the-Wall - limited service operated by Howard Snaith and Rural Link under contract to Northumberland County Council, view timetable here
- Connections can be made at Heddon-on-the-Wall to/from Stagecoach service 685 to/from Newcastle
- 687 Hexham to Newbrough - limited service operated by Howard Snaith and Go North East under contract to Northumberland County Council, view timetable here
- 688 Hexham to Allenheads - limited service operated by Howard Snaith under contract to Northumberland County Council, view timetable here
- 689 Hexham to Consett - limited service operated by Rural Link under contract to Northumberland County Council, view timetable here
- 794 Stanley to DWP Tyneview Park - normal service, view timetable here
- 933 Rowlands Gill to Team Valley - normal service, view timetable here
- 941 Stanhope Street to Team Valley - normal service, view timetable here
- S2 Team Valley Sainsbury's Free Bus - normal service, view timetable here
- X62 Peterlee to Durham - normal service, view timetable here
Northumberland County Council has arranged with external companies to operate a limited service in the Hexham area.
All these services are in addition to all school bus journeys and certain contracted services which we were already operating. As and when we are able to provide more services, we will provide another update to customers.
Update on industrial action: 6 November 1:00PM
Due to the ongoing industrial action, we are unfortunately unable to provide a normal service. We are, however, trying our best to prioritise the running of school services and certain contracted services.
Northumberland County Council has arranged with external companies to operate a limited service in the Hexham area.
We apologise for the disruption during this time, and we remain committed to reaching a solution that will bring an end to the industrial action.
The services operating are detailed below:
- All school bus services (including services 18A, 28S and 85A) - normal service
- 91 Newcastle to Team Valley - normal service, view timetable here
- 335 Killingworth to Hadrian Park - normal service, view timetable here
- 351 Newcastle to Whitley Bay - normal service (Monday - Saturday only) until approximately 7pm, view timetable here
- The last departures are 19:20 from Whitley Bay to Newcastle and 20:25 from Newcastle to Whitley Bay.
- Unfortunately, service 351 will not run on Sundays.
- 359 Killingworth to Whitley Bay - normal service, view timetable here
- 392 Marden Estate to HMRC Benton View - normal service, view timetable here
- 553 Wallsend to Freeman Hospital - normal service, view timetable here
- 680 Hexham to Bellingham - limited service operated by Howard Snaith under contract to Northumberland County Council, view timetable here
- 683 Hexham Town Service - limited service operated by Rural Link under contract to Northumberland County Council, view timetable here
- 684 Hexham to Heddon-on-the-Wall - limited service operated by Howard Snaith and Rural Link under contract to Northumberland County Council, view timetable here
- Connections can be made at Heddon-on-the-Wall to/from Stagecoach service 685 to/from Newcastle
- 687 Hexham to Newbrough - limited service operated by Howard Snaith and Go North East under contract to Northumberland County Council, view timetable here
- 688 Hexham to Allenheads - limited service operated by Howard Snaith under contract to Northumberland County Council, view timetable here
- 689 Hexham to Consett - limited service operated by Rural Link under contract to Northumberland County Council, view timetable here
- 794 Stanley to DWP Tyneview Park - normal service, view timetable here
- 933 Rowlands Gill to Team Valley - normal service, view timetable here
- 941 Stanhope Street to Team Valley - normal service, view timetable here
- S2 Team Valley Sainsbury's Free Bus - normal service, view timetable here
- X62 Peterlee to Durham - normal service, view timetable here
Update on industrial action: 30 October 8:10PM
Business Director Ben Maxfield sets out the facts behind Go North East dispute with UNITE.
With an indefinite strike involving Go North East bus drivers now underway, Business Director Ben Maxfield has moved to explain the company’s position.
In a “Question and Answer” interview released by Go North East, he says the decision to strike is based on a “distortion of the facts” - but insists it’s not too late to call the action off.
Read the interview in our 27 October stakeholder update
Update on industrial action: 27 October 1:10PM
We are incredibly disappointed that Unite members have voted not to accept our latest improved and above-inflation pay offer, inflicting yet further disruption on our customers in the region. There will now be no Go North East buses running from tomorrow, 28 October for up to 12 weeks.
We will continue to do all we can to resolve this dispute as quickly as possible.
We understand the detrimental impact this situation is having on our customers, our communities, and our local economy - we urge Unite to reconsider their position, act in good faith, and show a genuine willingness to resolve this dispute for the benefit of their members and our customers.
For more information, visit Drivers reject deal to make them the highest paid in the region and opt for a 12-week bus strike - Go North East
Update on industrial action: 25 October 2023 4:45 PM
We can confirm that Go North East and Unite the Union have reached an agreement on our latest pay offer today and Unite will now take this offer to our colleagues for ballot. It is expected results from this ballot will be made available on Friday 27 October and we will update our customers on the outcome as soon as possible.
Whilst the ballot is ongoing Unite have not postponed strike action. At present there will be no Go North East buses from Saturday 28 October, with the exception of contracted school services, until further notice, if the offer is rejected at ballot.
We appreciate your patience during this time.
Update on industrial action: 19 October 2023 9:15 AM
It is extremely disappointing to confirm that Unite has planned a further indefinite period of strike action, commencing Saturday 28 October 2023.
We are currently working on plans for services we will be able to operate during this period of strike. We expect that contract school bus services will still operate, and all other services will be reviewed as the situation develops.
We recognise that this will mean significant disruption to our customers and communities throughout the region, despite a generous pay offer being tabled. Go North East will continue to do all we can to resolve this dispute as quickly as possible.
We will keep our customers and stakeholders updated as talks progress and we apologise for the inconvenience Unite’s strike will cause.
Update on industrial action: Friday 13 October 4:40 PM
As announced yesterday, a week-long strike will begin from tomorrow, Saturday 14 October 2023. There will be no Go North East bus services running during these dates, except for contract school services.
This morning, Unite has called for indefinite industrial action from 28 October. We are incredibly disappointed with this news and you can find more information in our latest update.
Go North East will continue to do all we can to resolve this dispute as quickly as possible. We understand the impact this situation is having on our customers and our local communities and we apologise for any inconvenience this will cause.
Update on industrial action: Thursday 12 October 9:15 AM
Despite further talks with Unite this week, we are extremely disappointed for all our customers to confirm that industrial action will take place from Saturday 14 October. The dates of the strikes have been announced as follows:
- Saturday 14 October – Friday 20 October inclusive
The strike will cause significant disruption. There will be no Go North East bus services running during these dates, except for contract school services https://www.gonortheast.co.uk/services/school-buses
We apologise for the inconvenience that this will cause across the region, and we hope that Unite will return to talks very soon to avoid further disruptions. Go North East is committed to reaching a resolution.
Update on industrial action: Friday 6 October 9:30AM
All Go North East services will resume as normal from tomorrow, Saturday 7 October.
We are sorry for any inconvenience caused and remain committed to finding a resolution with Unite to avoid any further disruption.
Update on industrial action: Saturday 30 September 9:00AM
Northumberland County Council has been able to source another bus company (Rural Link) to provide the AD122 service for the duration of the industrial action, on Monday to Saturdays only. The revised timetable can be viewed here.
The X50 Soccer Bus will run on Saturday 30 September only. This will be with limited capacity on a first-come, first-served basis.
All other services will not run during the strikes, except contracted school services. Please take time to read through the previous updates below.
Update on industrial action: Friday 29 September 9:00AM
Despite further talks with Unite this week, we are extremely disappointed for all our customers to confirm that industrial action will take place from Saturday 30 September. Two weeks of strikes have been announced as follows:
- Saturday 30 September – Friday 6 October inclusive
- Saturday 14 October – Friday 20 October inclusive
The strikes will cause significant disruption. There will be no Go North East bus services running during these dates, except for contract school services https://www.gonortheast.co.uk/services/school-buses
We apologise for the inconvenience that this will cause across the region, and we hope that Unite will return to talks very soon to avoid further disruptions. Go North East is committed to reaching a resolution.
Update on industrial action: Wednesday 27 September 9:00AM
We are sorry to inform our passengers that talks with Unite are still ongoing.
Two weeks of strike action is planned for the following dates:
- Saturday 30 September - Friday 6 October inclusive
- Saturday 14 October - Friday 20 October inclusive
Depots affected are Consett, Gateshead, Hexham, Percy Main (North Shields), Sunderland and Washington.
These strikes will significantly impact our services and our advice to passengers is to make alternative travel arrangements.
We will do our best to run as many of our school services during the strikes as we can. These services can be found on our website https://www.gonortheast.co.uk/services/school-buses
We remain engaged in talks with Unite and are committed to finding a resolution that avoids strike action.
Update on industrial action: Monday 25 September
We’re sorry to tell you that Unite the Union has called a series of strikes at Go North East which are likely to bring many of our bus services to a halt on the following dates:
- Saturday 30th September - Friday 6th October inclusive
- Saturday 14th October - Friday 20th October inclusive
Depots affected are Consett, Gateshead, Hexham, Percy Main (North Shields), Sunderland and Washington.
Our advice to passengers is to make alternative travel arrangements.
We will do our best to run a skeleton service on strike days, deploying managers and supervisors to drive buses, but we anticipate that the significant majority of our bus services across the North East will not run. Our skeleton service will focus predominantly on ensuring that school services operate where possible.
We are engaged in talks with Unite and remain committed to finding a resolution that averts strike action.