Martijn has departed First Group with immediate effect

https://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/boss-c...ccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAABxmq3jsk3kAKkmSciL9q8QxlfIpTIcMnLqOInEJLY423kXXYr2dXtASn55bFh_S_OPqqFiCC3_zV3SC-5vWw0rAXZr6rjwGPV_cruuNWDb61qcXfUjnKXr2uq9MCrQ1toQ6lDvhnRhS-m_gmIuIrIv33Z0VseAPeTrtmXCyxubj

No doubt he’ll fall upwards into another role

As long as he doesnt rock back up at GNE

(12 Jun 2025, 9:13 pm)Ambassador wrote Martijn has departed First Group with immediate effect

https://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/boss-c...ccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAABxmq3jsk3kAKkmSciL9q8QxlfIpTIcMnLqOInEJLY423kXXYr2dXtASn55bFh_S_OPqqFiCC3_zV3SC-5vWw0rAXZr6rjwGPV_cruuNWDb61qcXfUjnKXr2uq9MCrQ1toQ6lDvhnRhS-m_gmIuIrIv33Z0VseAPeTrtmXCyxubj

No doubt he’ll fall upwards into another role

Bit of a pattern emerging here - alienate workforce to the point of protracted strikes then run for the hills.

(12 Jun 2025, 9:25 pm)V514DFT wrote As long as he doesnt rock back up at GNE

If COVID didn't hit, it could've been a different story.

(13 Jun 2025, 10:38 am)L469 YVK wrote If COVID didn't hit, it could've been a different story.

I agree, I think he was dealt an extremely unfortunate hand at GNE. Even despite that, there were attempts to try new things and develop services, rather than axing everything in sight like this current mob.

(13 Jun 2025, 6:34 pm)Adrian wrote I agree, I think he was dealt an extremely unfortunate hand at GNE. Even despite that, there were attempts to try new things and develop services, rather than axing everything in sight like this current mob.

I think the main problem is that GAG weren't patient enough to see things out and back to normal.

Whereas Arriva Northumbria and Durham County had a lot of 'inbetween' places to keep them going and strong flows and Stagecoach with their route demographics / areas with low car ownership, a lot of GNE's network relied on MetroCentre and Newcastle City Centre. Both of which took time to get back to normal.

(13 Jun 2025, 10:38 am)L469 YVK wrote If COVID didn't hit, it could've been a different story.

I'm not too sure. 

Bringing a model from elsewhere, dropping it in to the NE and relying on the copy and paste generator was never guaranteed to get results.

There was some expansion to routes, but I never saw anything new or anything exciting or anything different to the vehicle titivations.

Where were the new and innovative links to open up new markets?
The route network now, is pretty much the same as it was before he arrived.

All fur coat and no knickers.