Mayor Kim McGuinness demands answers from Go North East over service quality, safety, and potential strike action.
McGuinness stated she’s received numerous complaints. People are unhappy with the bus service, finding its quality very poor. Go North East staff might vote to strike due to a dispute with the company.
Staff have also raised safety concerns, highlighting that some buses lack working CCTV. Unions alleged that new buses, initially intended for the North East, were instead sent to the North West after Go Ahead won a contract there. The bus firm denies this claim.
McGuinness is demanding quick solutions. People in Durham and Washington are upset. Unite the Union has voiced warnings about bus safety and potential strike action. She seeks service improvements and wants to prevent a strike.
Passengers frequently complain about Go North East, citing unreliable service, cancellations, and poor bus quality. People in the region deserve better. Buses are crucial for daily life, facilitating work, appointments, and other essential activities. Poor service hurts everyone.
Maintenance issues are causing problems; buses are breaking down frequently, leaving people stranded or needing taxis. Unite implied some buses may have gone to Manchester, which the mayor finds very troubling. People deserve safe and reliable transport.
McGuinness needs Go North East’s commitment to improving bus quality. She wants a guarantee that the region will not receive older buses. Damaged CCTV concerns her, as working CCTV is vital for bus safety.
Go North East receives substantial public funding to support services and provide cheaper travel, including a £2.50 fare cap, and £1 for those under 22. Public funds should guarantee good buses.
A past strike caused major disruption, highlighting the importance of buses. Another strike would severely impact residents. McGuinness urges cooperation and wants to meet to discuss these issues.
Go North East maintains that it values safety highly, adhering to strict safety rules, industry standards, and advice to ensure safety for all users. The company has not heard about any strike vote and asserts that modern buses have remained, with none moved to Manchester.