Director general of Nexus Mike Parker has announced he will be leaving the post in August.
He said last night: "It has been a difficult decision for me to make. I have enjoyed my time at Nexus. We have a great team here and I believe we have done an enormous amount to improve the quality of public transport in Tyne and Wear."
In March, he was appointed non-executive chairman of Northumberland Tourism.
Councillor David Wood, of the Tyne and Wear PTA said : "We are obviously disappointed that Mike has decided to leave.
"He has dedicated himself to Nexus and the cause of public transport over the past 12 years, nationally as well as locally. He will be a big miss for transport issues in the region and I wish him well."
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