North East Buses

(01 Mar 2014, 11:53 pm)Bus_User wrote [ -> ]I agree metro inspectors should allow some sort of leniancy if there is a case to be lenient but on the other hand, if you allow one to get away with it, then you got to let them all to get away with it. The excuse of fiddling around looking for your pass then realising to your shock horror it must still be in the house is one where some inspectors can be lenient but it such a common and easy excuse to use that most rightly don't.

The fact you got no idea regarding the photo with the man being "rugby tackled" tells me you can't say its assault and I don't believe for a second Metro Inspectors would assault any passengers for no good reason so self defence or some sort of restraint was being used to try and keep the situation under control. Whether its in their duty to be able to do that I don't know but I'm sure under special circumstances this is allowed aslong its in self defence and they don't go and start hitting the individual in question. Theres a big difference between self defence and assault and I find it astonishing people are accusing someone doing an assault with the only proof is a still photograph but I find those people quite prejudice really.

Metro Inspectors are certainly not Guardian angels but they are not the devils people are painting them to be. Infact tbh, the only people who hates them are more than likely be the people who dodges the system and gets caught. Quite frankly I don't like or hate them, I just show them my ticket and thats that and that would be the case for most people I'm sure if they do the same.

The Metro is expensive but if anyone remember the total chaos when the Metro went on a full day or two on strike will realise Tyne & Wear can't live without it and we should feel fortunate we have a light rail system in place if albeit, its showing signs of age and decline hence the money to modernise the system.

Tackling someone to the floor is well beyond reasonable force. You'd only be able to tackle someone at that angle if they were running away from you. It should never happen as inspectors have no powers of either detention or arrest.

Assault for no good reason? I'd like to think they wouldn't assault anyone for any reason. If they have then they deserve the book thrown at them.

(01 Mar 2014, 11:53 pm)Bus_User wrote [ -> ]Metro Inspectors are certainly not Guardian angels but they are not the devils people are painting them to be. Infact tbh, the only people who hates them are more than likely be the people who dodges the system and gets caught. Quite frankly I don't like or hate them, I just show them my ticket and thats that and that would be the case for most people I'm sure if they do the same.

The Metro is expensive but if anyone remember the total chaos when the Metro went on a full day or two on strike will realise Tyne & Wear can't live without it and we should feel fortunate we have a light rail system in place if albeit, its showing signs of age and decline hence the money to modernise the system.

My friends and I certainly don't like Metro Inspectors because their attitude stinks and the stories you hear from regular commuters are just awful. Good manners cost nothing, and most of the Inspectors don't have good manners. I certainly don't 'dodge the system' as every day I travel by bus too, so always buy a Nexus CAT. My friends always purchase a Metro ticket too. The only time I have had to get on a Metro without purchasing a ticket was when my pass was not scanning at the station, Customer Services were useless, and I got off the Metro at the first opportunity to get on a bus instead.

The money going into modernising the system is pointless though. New rolling stock should have been purchased instead of re-refurbishing half of the Metrocars again - an attempt at making the job cheaper but in the long run, it's going to be more expansive. The system is unreliable because of the ancient Metrocars, and although it's very respectable in the sense that the frequency remains high until the last train, it's not the form of public transport I prefer. When it's a case of a 10-20 minute difference in journey time, I'll often take the bus just because I prefer it. In my opinion, it's safer (bus drivers would assert authority and ask someone to leave the vehicle if they were causing a nuisance - I've never seen a Metro driver do this?) In a large number of cases, there is an option of free Wi-Fi and power sockets on-board buses too.

As a kid I always used to think of the Metro as an appealing form of public transport because of the different coloured Metrocars (which is now being phased out) and because it was so fast (and now by the time you wait for the train, the comparable journey time by bus isn't so different). I've grown up to think quite the opposite.

(02 Mar 2014, 9:42 am)Dan wrote [ -> ]My friends and I certainly don't like Metro Inspectors because their attitude stinks and the stories you hear from regular commuters are just awful. Good manners cost nothing, and most of the Inspectors don't have good manners. I certainly don't 'dodge the system' as every day I travel by bus too, so always buy a Nexus CAT. My friends always purchase a Metro ticket too. The only time I have had to get on a Metro without purchasing a ticket was when my pass was not scanning at the station, Customer Services were useless, and I got off the Metro at the first opportunity to get on a bus instead.

The money going into modernising the system is pointless though. New rolling stock should have been purchased instead of re-refurbishing half of the Metrocars again - an attempt at making the job cheaper but in the long run, it's going to be more expansive. The system is unreliable because of the ancient Metrocars, and although it's very respectable in the sense that the frequency remains high until the last train, it's not the form of public transport I prefer. When it's a case of a 10-20 minute difference in journey time, I'll often take the bus just because I prefer it. In my opinion, it's safer (bus drivers would assert authority and ask someone to leave the vehicle if they were causing a nuisance - I've never seen a Metro driver do this?) In a large number of cases, there is an option of free Wi-Fi and power sockets on-board buses too.

As a kid I always used to think of the Metro as an appealing form of public transport because of the different coloured Metrocars (which is now being phased out) and because it was so fast (and now by the time you wait for the train, the comparable journey time by bus isn't so different). I've grown up to think quite the opposite.

I hate the Metro to be fair, a lot of the stations (especially the lifts) stink, and the staff are generally rude.

There are no trains running between Pelaw and Brockley Whins in both directions until further notice . This is due to a failed train
Updated at 18:17, Wednesday, 5 March 2014

What a carry on. Had to drive to Heworth and park there pay for car park instead of getting the metro from where I live (Seaburn!). I know this was due to failed Grand Central train but whats the chances of getting a refund on this!

Woman fined £138 for obstructing the doors: http://www.shieldsgazette.com/news/crime...-1-6478150

(06 Mar 2014, 4:54 pm)Tom wrote [ -> ]Woman fined £138 for obstructing the doors: http://www.shieldsgazette.com/news/crime...-1-6478150

Nice bit of creative journalism there. She was actually fined £28.

(06 Mar 2014, 7:49 pm)aureolin wrote [ -> ]Nice bit of creative journalism there. She was actually fined £28.

Funny, £28 plus £90 costs plus £20 victim surcharge makes £138, and the headline doesn't say 'fined' £138, merely £138 'bill'.

(06 Mar 2014, 8:07 pm)Kuyoyo wrote [ -> ]Funny, £28 plus £90 costs plus £20 victim surcharge makes £138, and the headline doesn't say 'fined' £138, merely £138 'bill'.

Suppose it beats around the pathetic fine of £28 doesn't it? Or do you think it's worth pursuing these cases to win £20 in damages?

(02 Mar 2014, 9:42 am)Dan wrote [ -> ]The money going into modernising the system is pointless though. New rolling stock should have been purchased instead of re-refurbishing half of the Metrocars again - an attempt at making the job cheaper but in the long run, it's going to be more expansive.

I'm sure Nexus would of rather replaced the metrocars rather than refurbishing them but the main emphasis of the refurbishment is because of corrosion of the metrocars was expected to be bad but not as bad as it actually is but there is years of planning needed to get new stock for the Metro so in essence, refurbishing them gives Nexus more time to plan this. Clearly though, this should of been done well before now but I guess too much thinking was going into the rather ambitious and unrealistic idea of Project Orpheus where trams would run through Newcastle City Centre and be designed so they can run on the metro tracks also.

Go North East 3801, 3863, 6013, 6018, 6019, 6022, 6099 and 6100 on Metro Replacement duties today (updated throughout the day).

I notice that the South Hylton bound track at Seaburn has been completely replaced, but the Newcastle bound track has not as of yet.

Christ, 4001 wants to be refurbished mind... Those doors are deadly and the amount of rattles and squeaks is just appalling! Think I'd take GNE's 6018 over it any day of the week, and that's saying something!

(07 Mar 2014, 11:24 pm)Bus_User wrote [ -> ]I'm sure Nexus would of rather replaced the metrocars rather than refurbishing them but the main emphasis of the refurbishment is because of corrosion of the metrocars was expected to be bad but not as bad as it actually is but there is years of planning needed to get new stock for the Metro so in essence, refurbishing them gives Nexus more time to plan this. Clearly though, this should of been done well before now but I guess too much thinking was going into the rather ambitious and unrealistic idea of Project Orpheus where trams would run through Newcastle City Centre and be designed so they can run on the metro tracks also.

I don't think Project Orpheus was unrealistic. Nexus just struggled to gain funding for it. Looks like London will have Crossrail 1, 2 and 3 before any Metro expansion.

(09 Mar 2014, 11:15 am)Dan wrote [ -> ]Go North East 3801, 3863, 6013, 6018, 6019, 6022, 6099 and 6100 on Metro Replacement duties today (updated throughout the day).

I notice that the South Hylton bound track at Seaburn has been completely replaced, but the Newcastle bound track has not as of yet.

Christ, 4001 wants to be refurbished mind... Those doors are deadly and the amount of rattles and squeaks is just appalling! Think I'd take GNE's 6018 over it any day of the week, and that's saying something!

What about a DAF?

(09 Mar 2014, 3:00 pm)BJ10VUS wrote [ -> ]What about a DAF?

Any DAF you like. Without doubt.

(09 Mar 2014, 3:07 pm)Dan wrote [ -> ]Any DAF you like. Without doubt.

I'd rather be on a DAF than any metrocar

There are major delays to trains running between West Monkseaton and South Shields due to a train being withdrawn from service. Please leave extra time for your journey.

Tyne and Wear Metro
There are minor delays to trains running between South Hylton and Park Lane due to a failed train. Please leave extra time for your journey.
Like · · Share · 14 seconds ago ·

once again...

Edit - update on the failed train

There are no trains running between South Hylton and Park Lane in both directions until further notice. This is due to a failed train. Stagecoach are accepting Metro tickets in the affected area. Bus services 8, 10, 20 operate between South Hylton and Park Lane. We will update you as soon as we have more information.

http://www.nexus.org.uk/news/item/nexus-...witterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

New kit purchased by Nexus

(25 Mar 2014, 8:02 am)aureolin wrote [ -> ]http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/nort...in-6872372

Beat me to it, have just seen the tweet/article myself and was about to paste it in!

On the news today it was reported Nexus want to extend the Metro

Plans to expand the Tyne and Wear Metro



All in all the plan is for 22 new stations, as the picture above shows the plan is an extension to the West End of Newcastle, also to the MetroCentre, some of it will be street running trams

A new line from Pelaw to South Hylton forming a Wearside/South Tyneside Loop

A new line from South Shields to Doxford Park

A link from Northumberland Park to Silverlink

An extension to Seaham is also part of the plan.

According to the news it will close to 2030 by the time it is complete and will cost somewhere close to a Billion Quid...Where will nexus get that kind of money from to fund it???

What is peoples thoughts, personally I think if there going to come into Co. Durham, then Nexus should look at extending to Blyth, Ashington, Bedlington along the old Blyth and Tyne Line and also to Penshw and Fencehouses* Belmont to make use of the Durham Park and Ride...

I will have probably cashed my heavenly chips in at the big casino in the sky by the time this comes off

*Mr FPP spokesman, would the FPP support a rail service either light or heavy coming your way

(25 Mar 2014, 9:18 pm)marxistafozzski wrote [ -> ]On the news today it was reported Nexus want to extend the Metro

Plans to expand the Tyne and Wear Metro



All in all the plan is for 22 new stations, as the picture above shows the plan is an extension to the West End of Newcastle, also to the MetroCentre, some of it will be street running trams

A new line from Pelaw to South Hylton forming a Wearside/South Tyneside Loop

A new line from South Shields to Doxford Park

A link from Northumberland Park to Silverlink

An extension to Seaham is also part of the plan.

According to the news it will close to 2030 by the time it is complete and will cost somewhere close to a Billion Quid...Where will nexus get that kind of money from to fund it???

What is peoples thoughts, personally I think if there going to come into Co. Durham, then Nexus should look at extending to Blyth, Ashington, Bedlington along the old Blyth and Tyne Line and also to Penshw and Fencehouses* Belmont to make use of the Durham Park and Ride...

I will have probably cashed my heavenly chips in at the big casino in the sky by the time this comes off

*Mr FPP spokesman, would the FPP support a rail service either light or heavy coming your way

The FPP would strongly support the re-introduction of light or heavy rail into Fencehouses - as long as services continued to call, after the clock strikes 21:00.
GNE may even decide to run a service after 21:00 to complement the trains too!

(25 Mar 2014, 9:18 pm)marxistafozzski wrote [ -> ]On the news today it was reported Nexus want to extend the Metro

Plans to expand the Tyne and Wear Metro



All in all the plan is for 22 new stations, as the picture above shows the plan is an extension to the West End of Newcastle, also to the MetroCentre, some of it will be street running trams

A new line from Pelaw to South Hylton forming a Wearside/South Tyneside Loop

A new line from South Shields to Doxford Park

A link from Northumberland Park to Silverlink

An extension to Seaham is also part of the plan.

According to the news it will close to 2030 by the time it is complete and will cost somewhere close to a Billion Quid...Where will nexus get that kind of money from to fund it???

What is peoples thoughts, personally I think if there going to come into Co. Durham, then Nexus should look at extending to Blyth, Ashington, Bedlington along the old Blyth and Tyne Line and also to Penshw and Fencehouses* Belmont to make use of the Durham Park and Ride...

I will have probably cashed my heavenly chips in at the big casino in the sky by the time this comes off

*Mr FPP spokesman, would the FPP support a rail service either light or heavy coming your way

I hate the idea.

(25 Mar 2014, 9:33 pm)Tom wrote [ -> ]I hate the idea.

I am not sure about it to be honest, I can see the case for connecting Washington even a direct line between Sunderland and Shields, but Seaham and Doxford Park(I am guessing that will benefit Doxford Int'l more).

What I also dont understand is how will it get up the West End, it would cost close to a kings ransom to tunnel from St James'(or would the West End be worked by street running trams, also Metrocentre, would it head over the mainline or again would be done for trams.

All in all, I dont have a strong opinion on it, I dont use the Metro much, but one thing I would like to know, wheres the readies coming from, will Nexus have to stump it up, will it be financed by Deutsche Bahn or will come from the Government/Local Government???

(25 Mar 2014, 9:57 pm)marxistafozzski wrote [ -> ]I am not sure about it to be honest, I can see the case for connecting Washington even a direct line between Sunderland and Shields, but Seaham and Doxford Park(I am guessing that will benefit Doxford Int'l more).

What I also dont understand is how will it get up the West End, it would cost close to a kings ransom to tunnel from St James'(or would the West End be worked by street running trams, also Metrocentre, would it head over the mainline or again would be done for trams.

All in all, I dont have a strong opinion on it, I dont use the Metro much, but one thing I would like to know, wheres the readies coming from, will Nexus have to stump it up, will it be financed by Deutsche Bahn or will come from the Government/Local Government???

I guess more people would opt for the X1 between Washington and Newcastle, rather than a change at Pelaw.
Northumberland Park-Percy Main is a complete waste of time, if people are travelling between Cobalt and Newcastle, they'd probably go for the cheaper (and quicker!) option of a 58X/X9/X39.
Seaham-Sunderland isn't too bad, but still not the biggest fan of it.
Hate the one to the west end of Newcastle/Metrocentre/Team Valley, a irrational idea in my opinion.

(25 Mar 2014, 10:02 pm)Tom wrote [ -> ]I guess more people would opt for the X1 between Washington and Newcastle, rather than a change at Pelaw.
Northumberland Park-Percy Main is a complete waste of time, if people are travelling between Cobalt and Newcastle, they'd probably go for the cheaper (and quicker!) option of a 58X/X9/X39.
Seaham-Sunderland isn't too bad, but still not the biggest fan of it.
Hate the one to the west end of Newcastle/Metrocentre/Team Valley, a irrational idea in my opinion.

QCS will have kicked in then man
Prices will be all under the one 'cheaper' band

It needs to cover Tyne and Wear before they even think about extending it out-with.

As for the plans themselves. It's all pie in the sky once again. This is just a rehash of Project Orpheus from 2003. Local councillors are talking about it now as if it's a done deal, but not even the £300m has been granted for the rolling stock alone. Those proposed extensions in addition? They may as well times that figure by 4.

If I had a little more faith in the ability to deliver this project, I'd say two of the extensions have more merit than the others. Those being the Cobalt and Washington links.

1) Cobalt link should be pretty straight forward. Wasn't the Metro test track in that area? Is it still available for use? It'd also provide a fast link from Newcastle (currently 32 mins by bus)

2) Washington link would provide as many benefits for Network Rail and Nissan as it would for Metro. Reopening of the Leamside line, and creating a loop between the Viaduct and South Hylton would be the preferred option. Reopening the line all the way to Ferryhill would give the ECML extra capacity, and could also be extended to provide direct freight links from Nissan to the Port of Tyne.

Pie in the sky though.

(25 Mar 2014, 10:02 pm)Tom wrote [ -> ]I guess more people would opt for the X1 between Washington and Newcastle, rather than a change at Pelaw.
Northumberland Park-Percy Main is a complete waste of time, if people are travelling between Cobalt and Newcastle, they'd probably go for the cheaper (and quicker!) option of a 58X/X9/X39.
http://Seaham-Sunderland isn't too bad, ...fan of it.
Hate the one to the west end of Newcastle/Metrocentre/Team Valley, a irrational idea in my opinion.

I dont see the point in extending to Seaham, if the service, was direct to Newcastle, would it offer quicker journey times than Northern which is about 35-40 mins at present, It could possibly compete with the 60 for journey time...

What about a direct Sunderland-Shields link, could that compete with the 35 and E1/2/6...

To be honest I would look more into it before I decide I hate the idea completely...

I wonder if this will end up being Project Orpheus MkII and quietly abandoned, never to be seen again

(25 Mar 2014, 10:14 pm)Andreos Constantopolous wrote [ -> ]QCS will have kicked in then man
Prices will be all under the one 'cheaper' band

Lets hope not ;-)

(25 Mar 2014, 10:18 pm)aureolin wrote [ -> ]It needs to cover Tyne and Wear before they even think about extending it out-with.

As for the plans themselves. It's all pie in the sky once again. This is just a rehash of Project Orpheus from 2003. Local councillors are talking about it now as if it's a done deal, but not even the £300m has been granted for the rolling stock alone. Those proposed extensions in addition? They may as well times that figure by 4.

If I had a little more faith in the ability to deliver this project, I'd say two of the extensions have more merit than the others. Those being the Cobalt and Washington links.

1) Cobalt link should be pretty straight forward. Wasn't the Metro test track in that area? Is it still available for use? It'd also provide a fast link from Newcastle (currently 32 mins by bus)

2) Washington link would provide as many benefits for Network Rail and Nissan as it would for Metro. Reopening of the Leamside line, and creating a loop between the Viaduct and South Hylton would be the preferred option. Reopening the line all the way to Ferryhill would give the ECML extra capacity, and could also be extended to provide direct freight links from Nissan to the Port of Tyne.

Pie in the sky though.

The problem you've got with the Cobalt link, is the change at Percy Main. Potentially, this could mean the bus is quicker. For example, it could take 4/5 minutes from Cobalt to Percy Main. Unless they are made to connect, this could mean I have a 10 minute wait, on top of the 15 minutes journey time. This is a potential 30 minute journey time, and I know what one I'd prefer.

I agree the Washington link would provide benefits for Network Rail and Nissan, in addition to the metro. However, the only problem I have with these proposed plans, is how it would effect the bus. I'm guessing journey times would be shorter than the X1 owing to the 6 minute frequency at Pelaw, and this would effect the X1 considerably, as the amount of passengers boarding/alighting at Washington is usually high. I'd hate to see such a popular service go downhill because of these extensions to the Metro.

(25 Mar 2014, 10:20 pm)marxistafozzski wrote [ -> ]I dont see the point in extending to Seaham, if the service, was direct to Newcastle, would it offer quicker journey times than Northern which is about 35-40 mins at present, It could possibly compete with the 60 for journey time...

What about a direct Sunderland-Shields link, could that compete with the 35 and E1/2/6...

To be honest I would look more into it before I decide I hate the idea completely...

I wonder if this will end up being Project Orpheus MkII and quietly abandoned, never to be seen again

I don't really see a huge benefit in extending the service to Sunderland, as most people wanting to go to Sunderland or Newcastle would use the Northern Rail. However, it could compete with Northern Rail if the prices were lower, but regardless, I'd rather be on Northern Rail, which is a 40 minutes journey time, as opposed to a 60-70 minute journey time.

Again, I don't like the extension to South Shields from Sunderland either. Same with the Washington line, this would effect the E1/E2/E6 and more so the Laser services big time. The Laser is usually very busy between South Shields and Sunderland. However, could the Metro compete with such a regular service along that section of the route, with the E1/E2/E6 having a 6/7 minute combined frequency, and the Laser having a 10 minute combined frequency, I'm really not sure.

Same with the pathetic idea of extending the metro to Metrocentre and Team Valley? This would also effect the bus services, but massive decrease numbers on the 100/X66, I reckon. But overall, this I massively doubt that this will happen, and I agree this project will be abandoned, and a rehash of Project Orpheus from 2003. The way it's been on the news and in the newspapers is like it's going to happen tomorrow!

http://www.twita.gov.uk/sites/default/fi...140327.pdf

The Minutes from a Nexus meeting...It talks a bit more in depth about Metros future from page 31