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.

(04 Jul 2025, 12:55 pm)MurdnunoC wrote I guess some posts must be missing because I don't see loads of chit-chat about the route number on here.

Hold-on. I'll refresh the page.

Meh. Still nowt.

Exactly... maybe the chit-chat should be WHY did MG get the boot from Lumo, nevermind his initials.

(04 Jul 2025, 5:31 pm)Superman wrote Exactly... maybe the chit-chat should be WHY did MG get the boot from Lumo, nevermind his initials.

Did he get the boot?, I was of the understanding he put his notice in and then was put on gardening leave by First

(04 Jul 2025, 5:31 pm)Superman wrote Exactly... maybe the chit-chat should be WHY did MG get the boot from Lumo, nevermind his initials.

Howay leave the bloke alone.. instead of speculation eh...

Have you ever thought he may of wanted a change of scenery 

He has done an awful in changing the brand of Lumo and Hull trains and marketing but he is restricted going forward it is not like a bus route where you can buy a new bus and create a bus route - your hands are tied running a railway.

I hope him all the best for his next venture

In the mean time Wonder if 510CLT is running the MG1 service?

New MD of Arriva UK Bus

https://news.arriva.co.uk/news/arriva-gr...for-uk-bus

Interesting his gaff in Low Fell is up for sale too

(24 Jul 2025, 10:50 am)citaro5284 wrote New MD of Arriva UK Bus

https://news.arriva.co.uk/news/arriva-gr...for-uk-bus

Blyth berries
Ashington apricots
Newcastle Northrider
MaXLines
#arrivabetterthanever

Mr Gilbert has been announced as the new MD of Arriva bus UK

His CV keeps getting bigger and bigger...

Bet he tries to re introduce services in North Tyneside

(25 Jul 2025, 12:36 am)V514DFT wrote Bet he tries to re introduce services in North Tyneside

He's MD of Arriva UK Bus, the North East is just one small area of his role now.

I very much doubt he will be making local level commercial decisions.

That kind of micromanagement is simply not going to happen.

(25 Jul 2025, 12:36 am)V514DFT wrote Bet he tries to re introduce services in North Tyneside

Branded and Private Plates.

If Arriva were to attack any GNE operations using knowledge, it would be County Durham.

GNE have don't have a stronghold outside of East Durham, Derwentside or Chester Le Street.

Something against the X10 & X21 maybe if GNE don't pull their socks up? Arriva have depots in Belmont and Stockton which could easily provide suitable bases for competition on both routes.

(25 Jul 2025, 2:08 pm)L469 YVK wrote If Arriva were to attack any GNE operations using knowledge, it would be County Durham.

GNE have don't have a stronghold outside of East Durham, Derwentside or Chester Le Street.

Something against the X10 & X21 maybe if GNE don't pull their socks up? Arriva have depots in Belmont and Stockton which could easily provide suitable bases for competition on both routes.

Realistically though, he's MD of UK Bus. Bar maybe having the ambition to grow each of the local operating companies, I doubt he'll have a wall chart in his office dedicated to ending GNE. 

It would probably need quite a shift in approach from local management to even consider it, and given the ageing fleet, would need some hefty investment (particularly for an X10 competitor in your example).