Tyne and Wear Metro's oldest driver retires after 40 years

The Tyne and Wear Metro’s oldest ever driver has taken a well-earned retirement after clocking up more than 40 years of service and carrying millions of passengers on his trains.

Richard Neesham, 75, has bid farewell to a job which became a life-long career spanning more than four decades.

Richard, of Fawdon in Newcastle, first started driving Metros in 1981, not long after the network first opened.

Richard’s length of service makes him the oldest person to drive a train on the Metro system.

“I love the job and I am going to miss it greatly. I am really proud to have worked as a Metro driver for so many years. I’ve worked with some great people" he said.

“I was quite emotional on my last day at work, especially after spending 41 years working at the same place. All of the team gave me a fantastic send off.”

His retirement brings the curtain down on a 50-year career in the public transport industry, having spent ten years as a bus driver prior to joining Metro.

Richard gave up a career in the bus industry to start driving Metros when the system was brand new and brought a transport revolution to Tyneside in the early 1980s.

He said: “I started as a Metro driver at the time that the network was new and I have been there over four decades. It was an amazing time when it was all brand new and brought this new, rapid mode of transport for people to travel around on, a bit like the London Underground.

“After all these years I still don’t mind the early starts. Getting up at 3am for an early actually became my favourite shift, even in the winter.

“It’s a big achievement to work so long in this industry and I love the camaraderie with the other drivers. I am sad to leave but am also looking forward to my retirement and spending more time with my family.

Metro Operations Director, John Alexander, said: “Richard has given outstanding service to the Tyne and Wear Metro over the last 41 years.

“To be still driving Metro trains at the age of 75 demonstrates the scale of his dedication to his profession.

“He is a hugely respected and popular member of our team and he will be greatly missed. It was an emotional send off on is last day at work.

“To spend 50 years in the public transport industry is an amazing achievement. Everyone at Nexus wishes Richard all the very best for a long and happy retirement.”