THE WHEELS are in motion for a reunion of Darlington’s public transport workers.
Prior to 1994, the town’s bus services were run by local company Darlington Corporation.
In a series of events that became known locally as the Darlington Bus War, Stagecoach took over the provision of the buses in 1994, leading to the collapse of Darlington Corporation and prompting calls for an inquiry into North-East bus services.
A former inspector for the company, Alan Dove, has now organised a reunion for former workers.
The event would not be complete without the attendance of one of the company’s hardest workers – a single decker bus that was retired from service after ferrying customers around Darlington for years.
The Darlington Transport vehicle has been loaned to Mr Dove for the evening by the Bus 50 organisation – a group of individuals devoted to the preservation of the town’s old buses.
It will be used to ferry former workers to and from Tubwell Row for the event, taking place on Saturday, November 15.
Mr Dove said: “It’s 20 years since Darlington lost its local bus service to Stagecoach and Arriva and ended an era.
“I’m arranging a reunion for any worker - it doesn’t matter if they were in engineering, administration, traffic or even cleaners – they are all welcome.”
The reunion will be hosted at Darlington Rugby Club from 7pm until 11pm.
Tickets are £5 and can be booked by calling Mr Dove on 07763571630.
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