Nexus has today invited operators to tender for services across Sunderland, Washington and Gateshead.
An anticipated decision to award will be made by 30 March 2022, with contracts awarded on 12 April, with contracts commencing from 15 May.
These tenders do include some services which are currently operated by larger operators on a commercial basis, as well as amendments to existing secured services to accommodate some of these changes.
As with the March 2022 tenders, the tender documents which are now available on the e-portal must be treated as private and confidential and a specific line has been included again to instruct that details of the tender document must not be released other than on an ‘In Confidence’ basis to those who have legitimate need to know or whom they need to consult for the purpose of preparing this tender. This is to give operators time to undertake internal communications, so I'd like to ask that we respect that at this stage.
Services I think are at a risk:
Stagecoach:
8 - South Hylton to Sunderland
18 - Gilly Law to Seaburn - withdrawn
3/4/16/20/23 - drop in frequency to every 15 mins
10/11 - every 20 mins (10 combined)
E1/E2/E6 - as of now (10 mins combined)
Go North East:
35A between Boldon and Heworth
38
X6
Peterlee Purples
Little Pinks
NEXUS:
37/73
99
135/136
Can't say for the other area's as I don't really know them
Not sure if it falls under Washington but the cost for the 23 is obscene and surely a contender
You could easily divert the 28 along Ravensworth Rd and then Windsor Rd to join Windsor Road (as the 721 used to back in the day) to cover that section, stick a taxi bus around springwell village and let little pinks take up the barley mow end.
67/69 will almost certainly be contenders too.
67 could be mostly covered by extending the 49/49a beyond Gateshead following the 51/52 route to Carr Hill Road then the 67 route to either the QE or Wardley. The 69 might prove to be a little more problematic as it is more likely be used by people travelling between, say, Whickham and Winlaton, or Whickham and the QE - rather than the entire route.
Perhaps the Whickham to Winlaton section could be lumped in with a revised 643 (Metrocentre - Whickham - Winlaton), or a rejiggle of the R routes?
(25 Feb 2022, 7:17 pm)Michael wrote [ -> ]Services I think are at a risk:
Stagecoach:
8 - South Hylton to Sunderland
18 - Gilly Law to Seaburn - withdrawn
3/4/16/20/23 - drop in frequency to every 15 mins
10/11 - every 20 mins (10 combined)
E1/E2/E6 - as of now (10 mins combined)
Go North East:
35A between Boldon and Heworth
38
X6
Peterlee Purples
Little Pinks
NEXUS:
37/73
99
135/136
Can't say for the other area's as I don't really know them
I'd hazard a guess that those congestion busting routes around Sunderland haven't busted congestion nor created desire. So will be on the list.
Probably the same in Washington with certain local services proving to be economically unviable.
(25 Feb 2022, 9:57 pm)Ambassador wrote [ -> ]Not sure if it falls under Washington but the cost for the 23 is obscene and surely a contender
You could easily divert the 28 along Ravensworth Rd and then Windsor Rd to join Windsor Road (as the 721 used to back in the day) to cover that section, stick a taxi bus around springwell village and let little pinks take up the barley mow end.
The 23 is normally a July tender, so it’ll be another few months before the outcome of this route is known.
The good thing, I suppose, about larger commercial operators making changes to their network with more services becoming secured, is that it’s giving Nexus an opportunity to review their existing secured services and really ask themselves the question if it’s a good use of taxpayers money.
The changes in North Tyneside probably make use of existing budget but provide a much better network of services to customers.
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(26 Feb 2022, 6:44 am)Dan wrote [ -> ]The good thing, I suppose, about larger commercial operators making changes to their network with more services becoming secured, is that it’s giving Nexus an opportunity to review their existing secured services and really ask themselves the question if it’s a good use of taxpayers money.
The changes in North Tyneside probably make use of existing budget but provide a much better network of services to customers.
A good use of taxpayer's money would be improving the passenger experience of bus stops, interchanges and Metro stations and pushing for total integration between modes. The money should be spent liaising with the public, councils, bus and rail operators to encourage more sustainable travel that works for the majority.
This money shouldn't be used to prop up a failing network of services because operators refuse to listen to the majority of the public to see what they actually want. Although there have been some improvements, it barely touches the number of people who choose to drive.
I hope bus companies realise very soon that marketing and painting buses running as they are is equivalent to polishing a turd. The only thing that would force me back to bus travel is spiralling fuel costs, not how (un)attractive it is.
The strengthening of trunk roads and improvements to rail services only shows which direction we're going in regards to bus travel.
(26 Feb 2022, 10:22 am)omnicity4659 wrote [ -> ]A good use of taxpayer's money would be improving the passenger experience of bus stops, interchanges and Metro stations and pushing for total integration between modes. The money should be spent liaising with the public, councils, bus and rail operators to encourage more sustainable travel that works for the majority.
This money shouldn't be used to prop up a failing network of services because operators refuse to listen to the majority of the public to see what they actually want. Although there have been some improvements, it barely touches the number of people who choose to drive.
I hope bus companies realise very soon that marketing and painting buses running as they are is equivalent to polishing a turd. The only thing that would force me back to bus travel is spiralling fuel costs, not how (un)attractive it is.
The strengthening of trunk roads and improvements to rail services only shows which direction we're going in regards to bus travel.
Am I right in thinking that you have actually done some work for Arriva in this field - if so nee good for your business or ideas then.
(26 Feb 2022, 10:47 am)citaro5284 wrote [ -> ]Am I right in thinking that you have actually done some work for Arriva in this field - if so nee good for your business or ideas then.
Not for marketing of bus services, with the exception of providing assistance for seasonal bus services. Other work for Arriva was related to the phase-out of old branding.
I have done work for other bus companies, but again, marketing as such has been very limited.
(26 Feb 2022, 6:44 am)Dan wrote [ -> ]The 23 is normally a July tender, so it’ll be another few months before the outcome of this route is known.
The good thing, I suppose, about larger commercial operators making changes to their network with more services becoming secured, is that it’s giving Nexus an opportunity to review their existing secured services and really ask themselves the question if it’s a good use of taxpayers money.
The changes in North Tyneside probably make use of existing budget but provide a much better network of services to customers.
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Death knell for the pointless 135/136 then I guess.
(25 Feb 2022, 9:57 pm)Ambassador wrote [ -> ]Not sure if it falls under Washington but the cost for the 23 is obscene and surely a contender
You could easily divert the 28 along Ravensworth Rd and then Windsor Rd to join Windsor Road (as the 721 used to back in the day) to cover that section, stick a taxi bus around springwell village and let little pinks take up the barley mow end.
An idea I've just had is drop it to hourly and extend it to Concord via Usworth then interwork with the 37 to/from Doxford Park. Probs have to drop Sainsbury's and not serve Wrekenton High Street a bit like the 25 to save time but it might just be about achievable and a Strata* is probs big enough for both services.
73 would be withdrawn as the 8 now covers most of the route.
This would require 3 buses down from the current 5 (2 × 23 & 3 × 37/73)
* I think some of these contracts should be looked at more of the usage as some seem to have a high number for minimum capacity, when have you seen 30 odd people on the 33/33A in Newcastle for example?!
(26 Feb 2022, 5:48 pm)Jimmi wrote [ -> ]An idea I've just had is drop it to hourly and extend it to Concord via Usworth then interwork with the 37 to/from Doxford Park. Probs have to drop Sainsbury's and not serve Wrekenton High Street a bit like the 25 to save time but it might just be about achievable and a Strata* is probs big enough for both services.
73 would be withdrawn as the 8 now covers most of the route.
This would require 3 buses down from the current 5 (2 × 23 & 3 × 37/73)
* I think some of these contracts should be looked at more of the usage as some seem to have a high number for minimum capacity, when have you seen 30 odd people on the 33/33A in Newcastle for example?!
Wait 2 is the PVR. I've usually seen 3 tracking
(26 Feb 2022, 4:17 pm)deanmachine wrote [ -> ]Death knell for the pointless 135/136 then I guess.
Those services are a massive risk, most of the route is covered by a variety of services.
(26 Feb 2022, 5:48 pm)Jimmi wrote [ -> ]An idea I've just had is drop it to hourly and extend it to Concord via Usworth then interwork with the 37 to/from Doxford Park. Probs have to drop Sainsbury's and not serve Wrekenton High Street a bit like the 25 to save time but it might just be about achievable and a Strata* is probs big enough for both services.
73 would be withdrawn as the 8 now covers most of the route.
This would require 3 buses down from the current 5 (2 × 23 & 3 × 37/73)
* I think some of these contracts should be looked at more of the usage as some seem to have a high number for minimum capacity, when have you seen 30 odd people on the 33/33A in Newcastle for example?!
Said the same about the 19 needing a capacity of 60, just daft.
Does anyone know what’s up for to be secured from commercial services in Sunderland?
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135/136 are certain to go, they carry very few passengers who could easily board a stagecoach service, also could this see a rework of the north sunderland services, until details start to appear we could speculate every possibility, the BSIP will be playing a role in streamlining services, could the 35 be curtailed at hylton castle? could stagecoach extend the 4 to boldon from downhill? we have saw how north tyneside has been restructured with the changes so i can not see how sunderland wont be, but with more services to play around with their changes could seem more severe, only time will tell
(27 Feb 2022, 11:51 am)N1cholas wrote [ -> ]135/136 are certain to go, they carry very few passengers who could easily board a stagecoach service, also could this see a rework of the north sunderland services, until details start to appear we could speculate every possibility, the BSIP will be playing a role in streamlining services, could the 35 be curtailed at hylton castle? could stagecoach extend the 4 to boldon from downhill? we have saw how north tyneside has been restructured with the changes so i can not see how sunderland wont be, but with more services to play around with their changes could seem more severe, only time will tell
Well they could, on the assumption they don't use it to connect to/from another Go North East service?
Fully integrated ticketing needs to be sorted out before we start streamlining (cutting) services on shared corridors, otherwise it's the customer that loses out and it gives them another reason to switch to car.
(27 Feb 2022, 11:51 am)N1cholas wrote [ -> ]135/136 are certain to go, they carry very few passengers who could easily board a stagecoach service, also could this see a rework of the north sunderland services, until details start to appear we could speculate every possibility, the BSIP will be playing a role in streamlining services, could the 35 be curtailed at hylton castle? could stagecoach extend the 4 to boldon from downhill? we have saw how north tyneside has been restructured with the changes so i can not see how sunderland wont be, but with more services to play around with their changes could seem more severe, only time will tell
In fairness the 57A, North Shields to Whitley Bay appears to have survived the changes (there's no change in route registration) which makes as little sense as the 135/136.
(27 Feb 2022, 10:30 am)cbma06 wrote [ -> ]Does anyone know what’s up for to be secured from commercial services in Sunderland?
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I’ve purposely asked in my original post that specific details aren’t divulged on this forum just yet, given the sensitivities around some of the commercial bus network changes which may not have yet been discussed internally with staff at the bus operators in question.
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(26 Feb 2022, 4:17 pm)deanmachine wrote [ -> ]Death knell for the pointless 135/136 then I guess.
Interestingly Dan has confirmed on flickr that Nexus have put out a tender for the 135/6 from
May
(28 Feb 2022, 1:18 am)peter wrote [ -> ]Interestingly Dan has confirmed on flickr that Nexus have put out a tender for the 135/6 from May
Not to say it’ll be awarded of course!
Nexus will be working to a set budget and if they can continue to provide the service, I’m sure they will.
If they come in over-budget, they may decide not to award all the contracts as originally intended - so still a while to wait before we know!
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(28 Feb 2022, 1:18 am)peter wrote [ -> ]Interestingly Dan has confirmed on flickr that Nexus have put out a tender for the 135/6 from May
Feels harsh if the people of North Tyneside would lose some of their subsidised services whilst this continued to drive around Sunderland on an evening carrying fresh air. Might just be because it makes me dizzy driving it though.
(01 Mar 2022, 6:01 am)deanmachine wrote [ -> ]
Feels harsh if the people of North Tyneside would lose some of their subsidised services whilst this continued to drive around Sunderland on an evening carrying fresh air. Might just be because it makes me dizzy driving it though.
All the councils put money into the Nexus budget, diverting money which is allocated to Sunderland to North Tyneside because of issues there is unfairer imo especially when large chunks of North Tyneside is covered by the Metro unlike a large area of Sunderland/Gateshead.
(01 Mar 2022, 10:29 am)Storx wrote [ -> ]All the councils put money into the Nexus budget, diverting money which is allocated to Sunderland to North Tyneside because of issues there is unfairer imo especially when large chunks of North Tyneside is covered by the Metro unlike a large area of Sunderland/Gateshead.
I wasn't aware it was money allocated for certain areas, just assumed it came out of one big pot. Fair enough then.
(01 Mar 2022, 2:56 pm)deanmachine wrote [ -> ]I wasn't aware it was money allocated for certain areas, just assumed it came out of one big pot. Fair enough then.
I believe it is all one pot but North Tyneside takes a massive chunk of it already. I know North Tyneside council put extra money in though, 400k I believe, to cover more.
Just wouldn't seem fair to me if there's a massive pot and North Tyneside got 50% of it plus the Metro whereas somewhere like North Sunderland gets next to nothing (don't believe there's much subsidised up there) and doesn't have the Metro either when Sunderland CC put their share into Nexus.
It's all one pot for Tyne and Wear. Durham and Northumberland still has some delegated responsibilities.
I assume it's the same for Northumberland, but in Durham it is responsibilities that primarily relate to securing socially necessary services, concessionary travel, and ticketing on local bus services.
Surprised NEXUS haven't done a consultation for these changes.......
(01 Mar 2022, 3:46 pm)Michael wrote [ -> ]Surprised NEXUS haven't done a consultation for these changes.......
What are the proposed changes or is the information subject to a news embargo?
(01 Mar 2022, 7:58 pm)Economic505 wrote [ -> ]What are the proposed changes or is the information subject to a news embargo?
Allegedly several services are currently out to tender - tender documents are generally only for those registered to receive them, and those companies are subject to a non-disclosure clause.
So we'll only know if Nexus do a consultation, which may not be until after the contracts are awarded, or the services are registered by the successful tenderer.
(25 Feb 2022, 10:20 pm)MurdnunoC wrote [ -> ]67/69 will almost certainly be contenders too.
67 could be mostly covered by extending the 49/49a beyond Gateshead following the 51/52 route to Carr Hill Road then the 67 route to either the QE or Wardley. The 69 might prove to be a little more problematic as it is more likely be used by people travelling between, say, Whickham and Winlaton, or Whickham and the QE - rather than the entire route.
Perhaps the Whickham to Winlaton section could be lumped in with a revised 643 (Metrocentre - Whickham - Winlaton), or a rejiggle of the R routes?
The NHS Staff for the Q.E. Hospital love parking on Belle Vue Bank/Beaconsfield Road/Chowdene Bank and use the 69/93/94 to/from to the Hospital as I believe it works out cheaper than paying parking charges, otherwise the 69 carries fresh air for the most part.