Bus company challenges the region's car drivers to put their driving skills to the test

Have you got the ‘Bus Factor’? That's the question the region's largest bus operator, Go North East, is asking car drivers across the region as it sets out to hold a series of free to enter, fun and no obligation ‘drive a bus' obstacle course events in Gateshead, Durham and Sunderland.

Anyone who has held a valid car driving licence for at least a year can come along and compete in the events. There will be a ‘Top Gear’ style leader board and prizes for the best placed drivers.

Designed as a fun activity to engage with the North East's drivers, contestants will be supervised by experienced bus instructors in specially adapted training buses to navigate the driving skills test.

There is no need to pre-book, and each drive will last around 15 minutes.

The Go North East Bus Factor driving skills competitions will take place at:

• Metrocentre Coach Park on 12 June – 10am until 2pm
• County Hall, Durham on 19 June – 10am until 2pm
• Stadium of Light, Sunderland on 3 July – 10am until 2pm

Should anyone enjoying the activity be tempted to consider a career driving buses, then the Go North East recruitment team will be on hand throughout the day at each event too.

Martijn Gilbert, Go North East's managing director, said: "Everyone likes to think they're a good driver, so we've put together a fun event that supersizes the challenge and will really put people to the test.

“As fun as we are sure it will be, there's a serious message here about promoting road safety and raising awareness of the important role of bus drivers and how large vehicles manoeuvre on our roads.

“We're sure there will be a few people who, after the no obligation experience, might be tempted to consider taking their skills a step further by joining us as a trainee bus driver, and we have a number of vacancies for these important roles across the North East.

“Though, this isn't solely a recruitment event so if you're free and think you're good enough then pop down and come and see what it’s like to drive a bus!"

If you’d like to find out more about the jobs on offer at Go North East, visit gonortheast.co.uk/join-the-team.