Go North East interview and assessment day

Hi all,

I recently gained a trainee bus driver position with Go North East, and thought I'd share my experience of the recruitment process here to help anyone who might be interested in this career path. If anyone has any questions, please feel free to ask in a reply.


Interview

The initial interview took place at the main Go North East depot at Gateshead Riverside, near the Metrocentre (next to Costco). The X66 bus there runs frequently from Gateshead, and the depot has its own bus stop just before the Metrocentre interchange.

The whole process took about an hour, and was fairly relaxed. There was only one interviewer and the questions were as follows:

• What were your last few jobs and what were your duties?
• Why do you want to be a bus driver?
• Why do you want to work for Go North East?
• Have you ever dealt with a difficult customer?
• A well dressed lady gets on your bus and gives you the old fare, which is 20p too little. The fare has changed since she went on holiday, and she doesn't have any more money. What do you do?
• A scruffy young man behind her then gives the same money and reason. What do you do?
• Two drunk men get on the last bus on a Friday night, give you 50p each and ask you to take them home, and then walk away to sit down. What do you do?

Regarding the longer form questions, I get the feeling that as long as you can justify your answer, and it isn't completely daft, then you're in with a good chance of passing. I think the idea is that whatever you say (e.g. let the lady on the bus or not), you'll be given the counter-argument by the interviewer and made to explain your thinking. I said I'd believe the lady as long as she seemed plausible, but probably not the person right behind her as having the same excuse seemed a little too convenient.

At the end of the interview I was given a detailed explanation of the shift patterns and other work conditions, and given the chance to ask any questions I had. When my last question was about when I'd hear back from them, I was informed there and then that I'd passed the interview! I was then sent away with some forms to fill out and also told to get an optician to fill in part of the medical form, as I wear glasses for driving (this may have been required even for those who don't need sight correction, but I'm sure this would be explained to you). When I got an appointment for this later in the day, I called back to arrange a place for the assessment day, and luckily there was space for me less than a week later.

For both the interview and the assessment day, be sure to dress smartly - Shirt, tie and smart trousers and shoes for men, and businesslike attire for women.


Assessment Day

Summary
The assessment day took place at the same depot as the interview. On arrival we were directed to the staff canteen to wait, and while there got talking to a few of the people already on the training programme, which was a good chance to ask questions and get to know the culture of the company. Following that we were taken upstairs to the training room and given a short talk by the depot manager, after which everyone was sent for a breathalyser test which had to show a zero reading. There were about 12 of us on the assessment day, which I assume is the norm as we filled the meeting room.

Some of us then started to fill out forms and take written tests while 4 others were taken for their driving assessment. As the day goes on more people were taken for their driving assessment while others waited to have a medical and an occupational health assessment (including an extremely highly controlled urine-based drug test). We were also given help to fill out our provisional D category application forms on the day, as well as the criminal record check forms. A buffet lunch was provided and there was provision for smoking and toilet breaks.

The day was advertised as lasting from 8 until 4, but I was done and away at half 2, and almost everyone knew by the end of the day if they would be given a conditional offer of employment or not (except those who had to have more info collected from their doctor to check any irregularities picked up during the medical). As there's only one doctor and occupational health nurse, and only so many forms to fill in, the day involved a lot of waiting around, but it was worth it to have the certainty of an offer of employment at the end.

Just before I left, I was congratulated on passing all the assessments, and told to check my licence application online and call the company as soon as this showed up. It did then take a week for them to get back to me, but I was given a start date that fit well with my required notice period at work.

Written test
The test consisted of identifying about 15 road signs (multiple choice), some theory questions (same), and then some fare questions. We were given a 'fare card' showing all the possible fare combinations between destinations on a real route, and then asked to find the correct fares and work out the change from a £5/10/20 note. The second part then asked you to do this for multiple fares e.g. 2.5 (2 adults and a child) on a journey, and again calculate the change.

The final part of the test presented us with a scenario where your bus had broken down in the rain, with passengers wanting to get on and some elderly and disabled passengers on your bus. We had to write what actions we would take and in what order, justifying our decisions. We were given about a side and a half of A4 to do this, but not everyone filled it all in.

The tests are marked as the day goes on, and presumably anyone who failed would be informed of this and sent home.

Driving assessment
The assessment took place in a new medium wheelbase Ford Transit diesel minibus (9 seater) with a manual gearbox. We were taken out in groups of 4 and given an introduction to the features of the vehicle, and the instructor then drove out of the depot and pulled over on a side road to let the first person have a go. We were told to keep the bus 2 feet from the kerb, 4 feet from parked cars and 6 feet from vulnerable road users i.e. cyclists and pedestrians. If you're someone who tends to place yourself in the middle of the lane and swing out as wide as possible around parked cars then it's a bit of an adjustment, but it's presumably designed to test your awareness of the size of the vehicle and also your ability to follow instructions.

The brakes and clutch on the van were extremely sensitive, possibly because it was new, and the assessment route took in a lot of complex junctions, hill starts, speed bumps and non-standard speed limits (20 and 40mph). My 10ish minute drive wasn't perfect by any means, but I still passed, despite stalling the van when waiting to make a right turn (I'd left it in 2nd gear...). It seems that as long as you're safe and reasonably attentive, the main thing that's being looked for at this stage is confidence in a larger vehicle. Some people in my group rolled back on hill starts and another adjusted his seat after he'd set off, and although this resulted in a bit of a telling off, all of us still passed the assessment in my group. Only one person didn't pass (after a second attempt on the day) because they couldn't get used to the hair-trigger brakes and jerky clutch, so the pass rate would seem to be quite high.

Hi came across this before my interview and it gave me a lot of info. Due to go for my assessment on 22nd August and just received my pack, did you wear a hi viz for assessment day? It does not say about one but in the visitor bit it says about wearing one so I'm unsure. Thanks

Hi Lee,

At the assessment day you'll be lent a high-vis to wear when you need to walk across the yard to get to the assessment vehicle. If you get through the assessment and start the training, then you get a shiny new one to keep (exciting stuff ey...).

Good luck with it! I started the training yesterday and am enjoying it so far, keen to get out of the classroom and on with driving now though.

Hi, Hope the training is going well and you are enjoying it!

I replied to you on the North East Buses forum at the time of your first post on there, I am too hoping to join GNE in the near future, but am very interested to learn more about the training, what it entails etc, plus any other info regarding the job as a newbie driver.

When you first applied to GNE, did you ring up or just fill out an application, how long did this take before you were given an interview?

I went to an Open Day at Riverside depot last year for a look round and at the time I was told that all New recruits after passing their PSV test, get allocated to 3 certain routes and until they prove them selves and gain the necessary experience they don't usually progress to any other routes. Have you been advised which routes these are, I presume the guy meant if you were staying at Riverside, I guess other depots may be different.

I'm sure that the Q3 and South Tyne 88 was mentioned but this could differ.

Also, once you qualify have you been advised yet what your shifts will be like?
Shift length and pattern, again I've heard different things...
someone told me that all new recruits now automatically go onto 10 to 12 hour shifts over a 4 days working week out of 7.
Then I was told this was not the case, and it would probably be 8 hours per day spread over a 5 day week out of 7.

Personally I think I'd prefer longer shifts with more days off.

Anyway, once again hope all is going well and hope you can share some more information.

Cheers!

Hope all is going well.
It would be great to hear about your experience and progress.

Been there done that, worked there 7 years and left to work on the railways. Know plenty of lads at Percy Main still too.

Just an update and a few questions answered to keep this up to date and hopefully informative.

In terms of time between application and interview, I unfortunately can't remember at this point, but to be honest it all depends on the recruitment needs of the company at the time. At the moment it seems like recruitment keeps rolling year round though, so there shouldn't be a long wait to hear back if your application is decent and you have the requirements they ask for.

Once I passed the PSV licence test I had a couple of weeks of shifts with a mentor on board to teach me the route and also help me get used to actually doing the job of a bus driver, rather than just driving a bus. All Riverside drivers are originally assigned to the 88, and then generally get moved to the Q3 as the 88 route fills up with new drivers. From what I understand these two are paid the same, but once on other rotas the hourly wage starts going up.

As for the shifts, the standard on this rota at least is 2 days off per week, but since they're not the same days each time I generally end up working 7-8 days in a row followed by 2 days off, then back to work for another 2-3 before another 2 days off. I'm averaging about 41 hours of actual paid work each week, so more than a standard office job for example. Of course you're actually at work for longer than that once you include breaks.

Any other questions, please ask, and I'll try to keep a better eye on this thread next time and answer more quickly!

Hi, Thanks for the update it is great to hear your progress.

Congratulations on passing your PSV test.

This is certainly a career path that I am hoping to pursue very soon now, just hope a can be successful. So are you currently still on the 88 route or have you moved onto Q3 or elsewhere by now.
Do you know if you are automatically moved to other routes as you gain experience or do you have to apply to move?
You mentioned your shifts, and averaging 41 hours paid each week, how many breaks per shift do you get and for how long?
Also could you give me an indication of the current hourly rate that you start on then is this different once passing your test and going on the 88 or Q3.
If you don’t want to give wages on the open forum could you send me a private message please.

Overall how did you find the training, and how long did it last before you were out driving with passengers?

I’m as interested and excited about doing the training as I am doing the job for real.

Sorry for so many questions, just the more I can find out beforehand the better.

Cheers.

Hi again, and thanks, I managed to pass the PSV test first time so I was quite proud of that!

I'm still on the 88 for now and it seems that at the current rate of new recruits displacing drivers from the 88, it will be some time next year that I move along to the Q3s, unless of course they change routes and rotas around beforehand. As far as I know you get asked if you want to move up, but if you want to do some overtime on other routes I think you can learn the route and ask to do overtime if it comes up.

The shortest break you'll get normally is about 45 minutes, but it can be as short as 35 occasionally. Usually you'll get about an hour though, and some longer shifts give you two breaks.

Training is all on minimum wage, and once you're signed off by your mentor it goes up to £8.60 an hour (with the first hour of any breaks unpaid) at Riverside, and presumably the same or similar at other depots. After a year there's another small rise and I guess it keeps going from there.

The first week on arrival is classroom based, preparing you for passing the theory and hazard perception tests. I'd strongly recommend starting to study for this before the first week, as it'll give you a better chance of passing first time, which means one less thing to worry about when doing the actual driver training. After that first week it was another three weeks before I passed my test, but this will all depend on how quickly you learn and also how many people you are training with, as some instructors only had 2 trainees while others had 3. The driving school give everyone a fair chance and lots of help as long as they are making progress, listening to instruction and learning from mistakes.

You'd be driving one of these in training, by the way. Scania L94UB with a Wright Solar body:


Hope that helps!

Excellent and thanks again for your info. It is much appreciated. It really gives me some interesting insight into the job and the company before I apply.

Few of other questions:

Was Riverside your preferred depot or were you allocated to Riverside?
Did other new recruits go off to any other depots?
What was the pass rate like, did most of the people you were at training school with pass?
So on average what is the length of your shift including any break?
Did you have a customer service background before hand?
Lastly (for now at least, as my mind is buzzing) what do you think of the Optare Versas used on the 88.

Once again, Sorry for all the questions, I’ve just got all sorts going thru my mind that I’m very interested to know.

Many thanks.

Hi I passed my PSV test a few weeks ago, chose deptford depot and got given it (some depots are harder to come by) I'm currently with a mentor but due to go by myself end of next week. Unlike riverside with 88's I have had to learn about 8 or 9 nexus routes but its been good so far, a bit nerve racking at first. Everyone in my group passed as far as I know (I was the 1st as someone failed just before me) I currently work between 39-46 hours and came from a bus shunting background so the size of each bus was nothing new to me. I got about 5 minutes route learning on a versa as deptford does not operate them now but they and a solo are the same really just another small bus lol. Hope you find everything okay and enjoy it, its a good job once you pass. Beeb375 maybe I saw you whilst on training?

ttm said:

Excellent and thanks again for your info. It is much appreciated. It really gives me some interesting insight into the job and the company before I apply.

Few of other questions:

Was Riverside your preferred depot or were you allocated to Riverside?
Did other new recruits go off to any other depots?
What was the pass rate like, did most of the people you were at training school with pass?
So on average what is the length of your shift including any break?
Did you have a customer service background before hand?
Lastly (for now at least, as my mind is buzzing) what do you think of the Optare Versas used on the 88.

Once again, Sorry for all the questions, I’ve just got all sorts going thru my mind that I’m very interested to know.

Many thanks.

Click to expand...

Riverside worked out best for me when I considered its public transport connections, since I try to only use the car when necessary. I think this is the easiest one to get into as it's the biggest. Some recruits went to other depots yes, but all training is done at Riverside.

Most of the people I started with passed, but 2 out of about 10 didn't make the cut due to driving standard not improving enough or at all past a certain point. As I said they give people chances but if people either aren't learning or aren't showing an ability to understand certain aspects of the training then they might be let go.

From sign on time to sign off shifts range from 7 hours to about 11 hours. Apparently on the other rotas most shifts don't exceed 9 hours though. I usually turn up at least 20 mins early to allow for any traffic getting to Jarrow, or on early shifts to allow for any issues while getting the bus ready.

Before I started I'd done mostly office work but did have some prior experience in retail dealing with customers. They place a lot of emphasis on customer focus once you've started, but having this kind of experience isn't a requirement to get employed from what I can tell.

The Versas each have their own quirks, but overall they're probably a good bus to start with as they (mostly) inspire confidence when driving and the mirrors don't stick out too much. You'll occasionally get a Scania on the route too but they're the same as what you train in so shouldn't be too much of a surprise. A few duties include the 516 in South Shields too, which is done in a little Optare Solo. I don't like driving them much, they're more difficult to brake smoothly and the steering is far too light for my tastes.

Lee1 said:

Hi I passed my PSV test a few weeks ago, chose deptford depot and got given it (some depots are harder to come by) I'm currently with a mentor but due to go by myself end of next week. Unlike riverside with 88's I have had to learn about 8 or 9 nexus routes but its been good so far, a bit nerve racking at first. Everyone in my group passed as far as I know (I was the 1st as someone failed just before me) I currently work between 39-46 hours and came from a bus shunting background so the size of each bus was nothing new to me. I got about 5 minutes route learning on a versa as deptford does not operate them now but they and a solo are the same really just another small bus lol. Hope you find everything okay and enjoy it, its a good job once you pass. Beeb375 maybe I saw you whilst on training?

Click to expand...

Hi Lee, glad to hear you're enjoying the job so far, and congratulations on passing! Learning that many routes this early on sounds a bit terrifying, but sounds like you've got it figured out. I probably did see you around the yard during your training! I reckon the Versas handle much nicer than the Solos as they actually have some weight over the front end (and the front wheels are in the right place), although on a couple of our Versas the steering is a bit TOO stiff and that can be a bit of a pain.

All the best for your first solo weeks! Just take it easy and don't get cocky!

Firstly thanks again Beeb375 and also Lee1 for your info it is much appreciated! it really has given me some great food for thought.

Its funny how Riverside keep you to mainly one route, whereas Lee1 has said he has had to learn 8 or 9. Am I right in thinking that GNE tend to keep alot of New Recruits to the Nexus contract routes to begin with?
I'm pleased that both of you managed to get the depot that you both wanted. As Beeb375 mentioned Riverside is a good depot location wise, especially with the public transport links.

From what you have both said the Pass rate seems decent however you will always have the odd one that just cant make it. Hope I'm not that One if I get that far!!! lol.

How do you find the shifts then if you are sometimes working 7 or 8 days in a row before a day off, does this cause problem?
I had been told in the past that the rotas include long weekends off (4 or 5 days in a row) for drivers every 5 or 6 weeks (approx) is this still the case?
When working on the 88's down at South Shields and Hebburn all day, where do you get your breaks at? I don't suppose you will come back to Riverside for them. Do you get them at somewhere like South Shields or Jarrow possibly, if so is their a drivers area down there, or do you just go off somewhere.

Thanks again, its really great to hear your progress.

I'm not finding the shifts much of a problem but I guess they wouldn't suit everyone. Sometimes by the 7th day I'm starting to need a rest but it's ok because I know that the next few days after that will be easy. Not sure if the long weekends are an official thing or just an occasional coincidence of scheduling.

The breaks on the 88 are taken in vans at Jarrow but nearly all other routes have a break at Gateshead Metro or the Metrocentre.

Thanks for the quick update and answering my questions again.
Yea I can imagine at the end of a long stint like 7 days that you will be ready for some days off.

Does the working 7 days in a row happen very often, is it more part of the norm or is it something that only happens every so many weeks?
I presume you will work an equal number of early shifts and late shifts

Just thought I'd ask you about the long weekend thing, its just what I had been told in the past. It may be just a coincidental thing or it could of been something that was once done but maybe no longer.

Thanks again.
Cheers.

Hi,
I am due to attend an assessment day on Tuesday, and I am just doing a bit of research on what to expect. Your article has gave me a lot more confidence Thank you. I am still a bit wary of the scenario bit though lol, what was your answer to the scenario you got?

Hi graemebell3,

At this stage, I don’t think they are looking for an exact answer suiting company standards, but looking to see what your common sense approach would be.

Such as Secure your vehicle by making sure the Hand brake is on, vehicle is in neutral, hazard warning lights on, obviously switch off the ignition.
Firstly advise your customers who are onboard that there is a problem with the bus, and reassure them that you are arranging for help and A replacement bus if required.
Pay particular attention to any elderly or disabled passengers making sure that they are ok and informed.
Any passengers sitting towards the rear of the bus, asked them to move to seats towards the front of the bus where possible just to help with your passenger safety, in case of a rear end collision whist you are stationary.
I would then inform the people standing at the bus stop who are waiting to board that your bus has broken down and that you are in the process of arranging help and hopefully a replacement bus.
Make sure you inform control that you have broken down and advise them of passenger numbers onboard the bus and at the bus stop. At this stage await further instructions and reassure your passengers with any updates as you get them.



As has been mentioned in beeb375’s first post, dress smart for the day. It’s quite a busy day but enjoy it.
One bit of advice is have some water with you, you don’t always get much chance of a break with so much going on before lunch, so probably a good idea to have a bottle of water or something with you to sip at as you go.
During the Driving assessment make sure you watch out for the speed limits, ie 20 or 30 limit and make sure you do not speed!

Good Luck for Tuesday! Be sure to let us know how you get on.
Any other questions just ask.

Cheers.

Yeah ttm has given a good answer there, as long as your answer to the scenario makes sense and pays attention to the elderly or disabled customers on the bus you'll be fine.

The driving assessment when I did it was about assessing confidence as well as safety, so don't be too nervous or try to be perfect, just give a sensible drive sticking to speed limits and give enough space for other vehicles and you'll be fine.

ttm said:

Hi graemebell3,

At this stage, I don’t think they are looking for an exact answer suiting company standards, but looking to see what your common sense approach would be.

Such as Secure your vehicle by making sure the Hand brake is on, vehicle is in neutral, hazard warning lights on, obviously switch off the ignition.
Firstly advise your customers who are onboard that there is a problem with the bus, and reassure them that you are arranging for help and A replacement bus if required.
Pay particular attention to any elderly or disabled passengers making sure that they are ok and informed.
Any passengers sitting towards the rear of the bus, asked them to move to seats towards the front of the bus where possible just to help with your passenger safety, in case of a rear end collision whist you are stationary.
I would then inform the people standing at the bus stop who are waiting to board that your bus has broken down and that you are in the process of arranging help and hopefully a replacement bus.
Make sure you inform control that you have broken down and advise them of passenger numbers onboard the bus and at the bus stop. At this stage await further instructions and reassure your passengers with any updates as you get them.



As has been mentioned in beeb375’s first post, dress smart for the day. It’s quite a busy day but enjoy it.
One bit of advice is have some water with you, you don’t always get much chance of a break with so much going on before lunch, so probably a good idea to have a bottle of water or something with you to sip at as you go.
During the Driving assessment make sure you watch out for the speed limits, ie 20 or 30 limit and make sure you do not speed!

Good Luck for Tuesday! Be sure to let us know how you get on.
Any other questions just ask.

Cheers.

Click to expand...

Thanks for your reply and help on this it has given me a great deal of confidence to take with me tomorrow. So fingers crossed it will all go well.

Thanks to the advice given from you all I passed the assessment day, just a waiting game now before I can get going with the training, I cant wait.

Congratulations to you all, Some great advice here, I have also passed the assessment day a few weeks ago and am just waiting for a start date. what's the usual time frame between the assessment day and actually getting started, I cant wait until I can get started with the training

It was approx 4 weeks between assessment and start as it took a while for go north east to be told about my license. Been at my depot about 6 month now, would not go back to my old job but really want to move up from low cost route soon lol

Hi, all depends how many intakes they're having at the moment, but once my licence showed as updated on the DVLA website i called GNE and was offered a start date within about 4-5 weeks, but I get the feeling that could've been sooner if not for my notice period at that job.

excellent hopefully i get the phone call back soon so i don't have much longer to wait

One idea, if you have the time, on the days off try & learn all the routes the depot you plan to be based at operates, especially the non main & interurban some cases rural routes.

great idea once i know which one ill be given ill do that

I know most companies will give route learning before you start, but does give you more knowledge of the routes & terminuses, if you can do a reccy on your days off, especially doing a reccy of evening & Sunday routes which may be different to daytime routes.

Only one thing to add - Google Streetview is very much your friend in this scenario

Don't know what GNE are like for Route Learning but I was only shown routes twice - once there, and once back.

Good luck, you'll either love the job or it'll destroy you. Fingers crossed the first one!

K

thanks im sure ill love it

Ive just got it, only got 5 weeks to wait till i start, plenty of time to get prepared for the theory test