North East Buses

Anyone considered that it's possible the entire network would have to see a reduction in frequency to compensate for the introduction of trains to Washington? That, or new stock altogether to replace the current Metrocars?

If you choose the former, buses could seem more attractive to the customer and you're therefore losing out on money with competition gaining more, but if you choose the latter, that's a great deal of expense for a project which you have absolutely no idea whether it'll work or not.

With the transport links being quite good in Washington (a streamlined 10 minute frequency on the very good services, with 15 minute frequencies on others), I really don't see why it'd be necessary.

Don't get me wrong, it'd be nice... Just see it being a waste of time if I'm honest.

(08 Jan 2014, 7:18 pm)Dan wrote [ -> ]Anyone considered that it's possible the entire network would have to see a reduction in frequency to compensate for the introduction of trains to Washington? That, or new stock altogether to replace the current Metrocars?

If you choose the former, buses could seem more attractive to the customer and you're therefore losing out on money with competition gaining more, but if you choose the latter, that's a great deal of expense for a project which you have absolutely no idea whether it'll work or not.

With the transport links being quite good in Washington (a streamlined 10 minute frequency on the very good services, with 15 minute frequencies on others), I really don't see why it'd be necessary.

Don't get me wrong, it'd be nice... Just see it being a waste of time if I'm honest.

The logical answer that strikes me would be to introduce short runs between Monument and Park Lane. Similar to the red and blue lines of the 80s. That'd then give the capacity to run a less frequent service between Park Lane and Pelaw, via a circular extension between South Hylton and Pelaw.

(08 Jan 2014, 7:10 pm)aureolin wrote [ -> ]I'm surprised at someone living in Washington not signing the petition if asked to mind. You (or your folks) are already paying for it in the form of an ITA levy via Council Tax. Why pay for something and not fight for it...?

I'd highly doubt the millions in extra infrastructure would lead to a rise in bus fares. It's completely illogical for a business to respond to competition by upping their fares. If someone opened a News Agents next door to another, you wouldn't see the original business respond by upping the price of chocolate bars by 20p would you? Regardless, the millions would only ever come from a government grant. So it'd be in addition to the current ITA budgets.

Reopening of the leamside line, for mixed purpose rather than just Metro, makes perfect sense. The obvious extension of the T&W Metro system, then you have the benefit of additional capacity on the already congested ECML, not to mention the potential of Nissan using rail freight.

P.s: signed.

Thing I never use the Metro at all, In 2013 alone I only used it twice off top of my head, to go to Seaburn Bus Rally and about 3 Months ago when I had an Interview in Newcastle on the Morning and then an Ingeus Appointment in Sunderland on the Afternoon, Otherwise I never use it. I always get the Bus as it's Cheaper for me. I can see the Benefits in re-opening the Leamside Line i.e. for Freight for Nissan and The ECML, But in all Honesty even if I did sign the Petition, Which i'm now Considering, would there be any Benefits for me in that by having a Metro Extension into Washington. Would I be able to go from Washington to Sunderland for Less than I would on the 2A/2C or the 8 for Example with Go North East, Maybe it would be Cheaper as a Day Return is £4.40 and Purple/Red Zone Pass is £6.10.

(08 Jan 2014, 8:24 pm)Adam Malarkey wrote [ -> ]Thing I never use the Metro at all, In 2013 alone I only used it twice off top of my head, to go to Seaburn Bus Rally and about 3 Months ago when I had an Interview in Newcastle on the Morning and then an Ingeus Appointment in Sunderland on the Afternoon, Otherwise I never use it. I always get the Bus as it's Cheaper for me. I can see the Benefits in re-opening the Leamside Line i.e. for Freight for Nissan and The ECML, But in all Honesty even if I did sign the Petition, Which i'm now Considering, would there be any Benefits for me in that by having a Metro Extension into Washington. Would I be able to go from Washington to Sunderland for Less than I would on the 2A/2C or the 8 for Example with Go North East, Maybe it would be Cheaper as a Day Return is £4.40 and Purple/Red Zone Pass is £6.10.

There's obviously nothing to suggest if it did happen that zone structures would remain the same, but at present it would appear Washington would fit in Zone B. As such a single over the two zones would be £2.60, with a day ticket being priced at £3.60. I reckon you'd be looking at a journey time between 15-18mins to both Newcastle and Sunderland

I would love to see the Metro come to Washington, Penshaw (maybe even Fencehouses) and reinstate the passenger rail link to those towns and villages that was lost 50 years ago.

The problem with Washington (which we have discussed before) is the location of the town centre and existing transport hub, compared to the railway and where the station is likely to be.

Any advantage in getting the Metro to Newcastle or Gateshead, is likely to be lost for passengers in parts of Washington, who would need to go via the Galleries, to get to the Metro station and incur the extra cost in doing so (even if QCS comes in.)

Another bad day for Metro.

Problem at East Boldon this afternoon.

(09 Jan 2014, 4:05 pm)idiot wrote [ -> ]Another bad day for Metro.

Problem at East Boldon this afternoon.

Metro fault or Network Rail?

Tyne and Wear Metro
There are minor delays to trains running between Gateshead and South Shields and South Hylton due to signalling problems. Please leave extra time for your journey.

Just posted by them on facebook

(09 Jan 2014, 4:46 pm)aureolin wrote [ -> ]Metro fault or Network Rail?

Point taken.
Looks bad on Metro though.

(09 Jan 2014, 7:49 pm)idiot wrote [ -> ]Point taken.
Looks bad on Metro though.

Agreed. No matter whose fault it is, Metro is always likely to be blamed by members of the public who have been inconvenienced by a delay.

Same with buses too. Could be any number of reasons for a delay or no-show bus, but they're always likely to blame the company.

(09 Jan 2014, 7:49 pm)idiot wrote [ -> ]Point taken.
Looks bad on Metro though.

The question was more around whether it was infrastructure fault, or rolling stock. I hadn't read the notification by T&W Metro so was unsure either way.

Tyne and Wear Metro
There are minor delays to trains running between South Shields and St James due to a technical fault. Please leave extra time for your journey.

Radio Newcastle have picked up on the latest petition for the Metro, interviewing the guy who organised it and Shazza too.

There phone/tweet in this morning is: Where would you like to see the Metro extended to?

There's been a lot of talk lately about the petition to bring the Tyne and Wear Metro to Washington, but at the same time, not a lot has been said about the 'Save Our Metro' petition - it's now 5 signatures away from 1,000.

Petition link: https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/v...-and-twita
They're also on facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/savemetrocampaign



Latest email I received:

From: Simon Laing via Campaigns by You [mailto:campaignsbyyou@38degrees.org.uk]
Sent: 21 January 2014 14:21
To:
Subject: Save Our Metro - Next Steps

Dear Petitioners,
I must apologise for not being in touch for so long. We had an interesting meeting with Nexus a couple of months ago and we talked about the many issues you have raised. After the meeting three things really did stand out:
1. Nexus are aware of the problems with the system and are working to resolve them. Many of you will have noticed slightly improved service of late as some of these issues have been dealt with. However despite prolonged periods of unacceptable service, by their own admission, there has been no offer of compensation to passengers. We feel a one month credit to season ticket holders would be a good gesture of goodwill, but this is not being considered. This seems unfair and could be a breach of the terms of service we agree to when we buy a ticket.
2. The relationship between Nexus and DB Regio seems to be good, but accountability by TWITA is VERY poor. Nobody at TWITA is asking questions about performance and TWITA refuse to comment on the long-run of poor service before Christmas. In fact the only public comment we have received states that they think Metro provides a ‘high level of service’. It would seem TWITA is completely out of touch, despite being a board of elected representatives. The fact there is no passenger representation on the TWITA board is quite evident. This needs to change.
3. Passenger consultation and engagement is poor at both Nexus and DB Regio. The ‘Meet the Manager’ events are a token effort, but the timing and format does not encourage participation of regular users (eg. commuters). We stressed that establishing a Metro Passenger Group should be a top priority for Nexus.
It must be noted that Nexus and DB Regio are very willing to talk and in our view seem very responsive to ideas and suggestions. However it's important that forums for passengers to communicate with Metro managers in a structured and timely fashion be made available. It is not appropriate for them to only communicate when things are so poor a petition is started.
**What Next**
Once we reach 1000 signatures, it will be time to present the petition. As stated in the original aims, our petition will be sent to the Department for Transport and we will await their response. However, once the petition is submitted, we must immediately begin lobbying Nexus for a Metro Passenger Group which has:
• A regular forum or Metro Passenger Group through which a representative group of passengers can communicate with Metro senior managers. This must include commuters and young people amongst other users.
• A seat for the Metro Passenger Group on any committees and boards where key decisions affecting metro passengers are made
• A commitment from Nexus to support the continuation of the Metro Passenger Group and to assist in the administration of its formation and ongoing activities.
It's vital such a forum be established to ensure that Metro are listening to passengers at all times.
Don't forget to share the petition with friends, details are shown below.
Best Wishes
Simon - saveourmetro@hotmail.co.uk

4034 (and another refurbished Metrocar) taken out of service because a fault developed. Chucked us all off at Heworth.
Hundreds of passengers then gathered on the platform, with an old woman sticking her arms out to move everyone out of the way when she was alighting the next South Hylton bound Metro (4039). I say 'What was that for?' when she whacks me one, and an arrogant twat then sticks up for her and says we shouldn't have tried to get on the Metro before all passengers had alighted.
We must be able to see through bodies these days!

''Trains are operating to all destinations subject to major delays due to a track fault at Jesmond
Updated at 06:48, Thursday, 23 January 2014''

Shock.

(23 Jan 2014, 7:43 am)Tom wrote [ -> ]''Trains are operating to all destinations subject to major delays due to a track fault at Jesmond
Updated at 06:48, Thursday, 23 January 2014''

Tyne and Wear Metro
Trains are operating to all destinations subject to delays due to a track fault at Jesmond

2 minutes ago from their FB page...still broken... i feel sorry for the people who use the metro.

@HuwLewisNexus is currently tweeting live news from the ITA meeting.

Haven't seen any mention of how the ITA members work out it is hip to be square or if the fella with the headache has been asked if he wants to try a new drug.

(23 Jan 2014, 10:44 am)andreos1 wrote [ -> ]@HuwLewisNexus is currently tweeting live news from the ITA meeting.

Haven't seen any mention of how the ITA members work out it is hip to be square or if the fella with the headache has been asked if he wants to try a new drug.

He did add this:

Huw Lewis ‏@HuwLewisNexus 7h
Healthy fare revenue and passenger numbers mean that NO local council money goes into subsidising Metro, councillors on ITA are told.

Kind of blows Stagecoach's propaganda out of the window, unless they fancy looking at the murky waters of accusing the ITA of false accounting?

brockley whins p1 map is green south shields - airport yellow south hylton - st james

Nexus have slapped a 500k fine on DB Regio for failing to meet punctuality targets.
Heard it on local news earlier on.

(27 Jan 2014, 2:01 pm)andreos1 wrote [ -> ]Nexus have slapped a 500k fine on DB Regio for failing to meet punctuality targets.
Heard it on local news earlier on.

Wonder if they'll now admit that public-private partnership has completely failed for Metro.

(27 Jan 2014, 2:37 pm)aureolin wrote [ -> ]Wonder if they'll now admit that public-private partnership has completely failed for Metro.

Hopefully!

Saying that, if Nexus are saving money by not operating the trains, being paid money to operate the system by DB and receiving money in the form of fines, will they admit it isn't working?

At this time of day, blocking off 7 seats...

(27 Jan 2014, 4:54 pm)Dan wrote [ -> ]At this time of day, blocking off 7 seats...

Never seen one of those before. What does the black text say?

(27 Jan 2014, 6:25 pm)aureolin wrote [ -> ]Never seen one of those before. What does the black text say?

Driver under instruction

(27 Jan 2014, 7:25 pm)BJ10VUS wrote [ -> ]Driver under instruction

Have seen them plenty on mornings and not really cared about it - but a peak time train? That little barrier thing couldn't be seen when the train stopped at Park Lane to let people on!

Can anyone give me any dates and numbers of units returning from refurbishment please

Huw Lewis has more news from the ITA meeting today.

Tweeting from his @HuwLewisNexus account, he has mentioned a number of things, including:

https://twitter.com/HuwLewisNexus/status...0199651328

ITA Councillors on hear Metro no longer needs subsidy from local councils, thanks to good management, low maintenance costs & fares growth.

Which can only be good news.