North East Buses

(27 Nov 2015, 6:51 pm)GX03 SVC wrote [ -> ]None of Arriva Northumbria's depots have Euro4 minibuses. So I certainly can't see the evening 57/57a staying with Arriva.

Well buses can always move around.

(27 Nov 2015, 6:51 pm)GX03 SVC wrote [ -> ]None of Arriva Northumbria's depots have Euro4 minibuses. So I certainly can't see the evening 57/57a staying with Arriva.

(27 Nov 2015, 6:59 pm)Michael wrote [ -> ]Well buses can always move around.

The alternative to vehicles moving from one location to another would be to allocate a vehicle which is of a higher specification than the contractual requirement? All of Jesmond's Optare Solos are Euro 5, so these would comply with the minimum contractual requirement.

Go North East has the upper hand with readily-available Euro 4+ minibuses in North Tyneside, and luckily for them, both vehicles depart from North Shields as their first run (18:56 and 19:56 respectively) rather than Cramlington, reducing the need for vehicles to run light.

(27 Nov 2015, 7:02 pm)GX03 SVC wrote [ -> ]There isn't even any Euro 4 minibuses in Durham County either.

There is - the solos.

(27 Nov 2015, 6:51 pm)GX03 SVC wrote [ -> ]None of Arriva Northumbria's depots have Euro4 minibuses. So I certainly can't see the evening 57/57a staying with Arriva.

According to the NEB fleet list, the Solo's are Euro 5, could it be possibly be operated by Jesmond Depot?

I must have been using the 'year' filter in the fleet lists...oops. There's 30-odd minibuses that are Euro5. Only Euro4 vehicles at Arriva are 7501-13.

(27 Nov 2015, 4:30 pm)Dan wrote [ -> ]Nexus released four tenders earlier this afternoon:

Service 57A (Cramlington - Seaton Delaval - Whitley Bay - North Tyneside General Hospital - North Shields)
Contract Period: 20/03/2016 - 18/03/2017
Currently operated by Arriva North East.

Contractual requirements:
Daily, evenings only.
2x low-floor Euro 4 vehicles with a minimum capacity of 36.

This contract has now been revised to operate from North Shields to Earsdon Village only. The PVR of this service is therefore reduced to one vehicle, and the final journey of the day from Earsdon Village is now 22:26 instead of 23:25 (previously 22:57 from Cramlington).

There are no alterations to vehicle specification, and the contract period remains the same.

I've never understood why some of the contract specifications require such high passenger capacity. Clearly with worker's and scholars services, this is more important, but take the 35 between Newcastle and Red House Farm. It's a requirement that there needs to be a capacity of at least 49, but surely if 49 people were using this service on a regular basis, then the service wouldn't need to be secured.

(04 Dec 2015, 4:55 pm)BJ10VUS wrote [ -> ]I've never understood why some of the contract specifications require such high passenger capacity. Clearly with worker's and scholars services, this is more important, but take the 35 between Newcastle and Red House Farm. It's a requirement that there needs to be a capacity of at least 49, but surely if 49 people were using this service on a regular basis, then the service wouldn't need to be secured.

I'm aware that the old 34(now 434) contract specified the same capacity as a double decker. It never has any more than 5 passengers on board when I used the 34.

Northumberland's first Taxi Bus was launched recently.

Service TTP1 operates between North Seaton Colliery and Ashington Town Centre on Tuesdays and Fridays.

Min 8 Seater

1100...North Seaton Colliery
1105...Seaton Hirst The Elephant (on request to access medical centre)
1110...Ashington Station Road Argos (opp)
1115...Ashington Laburnum Terrace Rowlands Pharmacy (on request to access medical centre, Asda etc)

1325...Ashington Laburnum Terrace Rowlands Pharmacy (on request to return from medical centre, Asda etc)
1330...Ashington Station Road Argos
1335...Seaton Hirst The Elephant (on request to return from medical centre)
1340...North Seaton Colliery

I presume this service is operated by Phoenix Coaches. I received a letter stating that the service runs well with plenty of custom, so I'll see what operates it tomorrow.

Did Kingsley retain the 33 contract?

(27 Jan 2016, 5:10 pm)Ambassador wrote [ -> ]Did Kingsley retain the 33 contract?

Nexus has not yet confirmed which operators have been awarded the contracts for the aforementioned tenders.

Nexus has released further tenders, for contracts commencing later this year. Details summarised below:

Service 39 (Pennywell - Royal Hospital - Sunderland - Ryhope - Doxford Park - Doxford International)
Contract Period: 22/05/2016 - 20/05/2017
Currently operated by Go North East.

Contractual requirements:
Daily, evenings only.
3x low-floor Euro 4 vehicles with a minimum capacity of 36.


Service 516 (South Shields - The Coast - Harton Nook - South Tyneside District Hospital)
Contract Period: 22/05/2016 - 20/05/2017
Currently operated by Go North East.

Contractual requirements:
Monday - Saturday only.
1x low-floor Euro 4 vehicles with a minimum capacity of 36.


Service 592 (Roker - Fulwell - Southwick - Downhill - Hylton Castle - Doxford International)
Contract Period: 22/05/2016 - 20/05/2017
Currently operated by Gateshead Central Taxis

Contractual requirements:
Monday - Friday only.
1x low-floor Euro 4 vehicle with a minimum capacity of 23.


Service 593 (Pallion Metro - Pennywell - Grindon - Thorney Close - East Herrington - Doxford International)
Contract Period: 22/05/2016 - 20/05/2017
Currently operated by Gateshead Central Taxis

Contractual requirements:
Monday - Friday only.
1x low-floor Euro 4 vehicle with a minimum capacity of 23.


Services 77/77A (Gilley Law - Sunderland - Docks - Gilley Law)
Contract Period: 22/05/2016 - 20/05/2017
Currently operated by Stagecoach North East, as services 5/5A.

Contractual requirements:
Daily
1x low-floor Euro 4 vehicle with a minimum capacity of 36.


Services 92, 83A, 937, 68 and 93A
Contract Period: 22/05/2016 - 20/05/2017
Currently operated by Go North East

Contractual requirements:
Monday - Saturday
1x low-floor Euro 4 vehicle with a minimum capacity of 36.


Services 82/83 (Concord - Barmston - Washington Galleries - Ayton - Birtley)
Contract Period: 22/05/2016 - 20/05/2017
Currently operated by Arriva North East

Contractual requirements:
Daily, evenings only.
3x low-floor Euro 4 vehicles with a minimum capacity of 36.


Services 85/86 (Concord - Blackfell - Washington Galleries - Columbia / Barmston Court)
Contract Period: 22/05/2016 - 20/05/2017
Currently operated by Go North East

Contractual requirements:
Daily, evenings only.
2x low-floor Euro 4 vehicles with a minimum capacity of 36.

(27 Jan 2016, 5:39 pm)Dan wrote [ -> ]Services 77/77A (Gilley Law - Sunderland - Docks - Gilley Law)
Contract Period: 22/05/2016 - 20/05/2017
Currently operated by Stagecoach North East, as services 5/5A.

Contractual requirements:
Daily
1x low-floor Euro 4 vehicle with a minimum capacity of 36.

I'm guessing that this will be the only one of great interest...

The service provides an all day service for Sunderland East End (The Docks) to the City Centre. Unlike the present 5/5A services, the service will be curtailed at Park Lane Interchange during the day. Evening and Sunday journeys continue to link Gilley Law, Thorney Close, Springwell, High Barnes, the Royal Hospital, the City Centre  and Sunderland East End (The Docks).

(27 Jan 2016, 5:42 pm)Dan wrote [ -> ]I'm guessing that this will be the only one of great interest...

The service provides an all day service for Sunderland East End (The Docks) to the City Centre. Unlike the present 5/5A services, the service will be curtailed at Park Lane Interchange during the day. Evening and Sunday journeys continue to link Gilley Law, Thorney Close, Springwell, High Barnes, the Royal Hospital, the City Centre  and Sunderland East End (The Docks).

That's surprising, what a pointless route - Docks to Park Lane.

Will Stagecoach continue to run it themselves during the day- like the Gilley Law to City Centre? 


If not people loosing loads of links here, i can see a lot of unhappy people!

(27 Jan 2016, 6:00 pm)Michael wrote [ -> ]That's surprising, what a pointless route - Docks to Park Lane.

Will Stagecoach continue to run it themselves during the day- like the Gilley Law to City Centre? 


If not people loosing loads of links here, i can see a lot of unhappy people!

I wouldn't have thought that Stagecoach would take that section of the 5/5A services on commercially, but I could be wrong... I can only assume that Nexus is cost-cutting based on current demand of the 5/5A services?

Regarding lost links, there are quite a few alternative services which offer quicker journey times to the City Centre from locations served by the 5/5A services:

Gilley Law to City Centre - Stagecoach Service 13
Thorney Close to City Centre - Stagecoach Service 23
Springwell to City Centre - Stagecoach Service 16
Royal Hospital to City Centre - Stagecoach Service 16

The main lost link is between High Barnes and the City Centre - passengers here will be left with no alternative bus services, and will be forced to walk to Chester Road (several Go North East services and Stagecoach service 16), or Barnes Park Road (Go North East services 35/36).

Of course, there are lost links between the likes of Gilley Law and Springwell, for example, but I'm not sure how many people use the service for this purpose? During the day, the bus is planned to layover in Park Lane Interchange for 33 minutes, and each trip is only 3.40 miles in length (compared to the evening/Sunday variation which is 11.81 miles).

(27 Jan 2016, 6:07 pm)Dan wrote [ -> ]I can only assume that Nexus is cost-cutting based on current demand of the 5/5A services?

Gilley Law to City Centre - Stagecoach Service 13
Thorney Close to City Centre - Stagecoach Service 23
Springwell to City Centre - Stagecoach Service 16
Royal Hospital to City Centre - Stagecoach Service 16

The main lost link is between High Barnes and the City Centre - passengers here will be left with no alternative bus services, and will be forced to walk to Chester Road (several Go North East services and Stagecoach service 16), or Barnes Park Road (Go North East services 35/36).

Of course, there are lost links between the likes of Gilley Law and Springwell, for example, but I'm not sure how many people use the service for this purpose? During the day, the bus is planned to layover in Park Lane Interchange for 33 minutes, and each trip is only 3.40 miles in length (compared to the evening/Sunday variation which is 11.81 miles).

I hope its only the NEXUS part of the route..... as they only fund that part i think... didn't Stagecoach replace the 14/14A with the 5/5A when they were withdrawn due to loss of links in the Barnes area?

If anyone knows Barnes, a lot of old people rely on the services, i would hate them to see them have to walk to Chester Road/Durham Road for a bus..... the Link between Springwell and Gilley Law, not sure how well its used tbh.

That is a long layover.... no doubt it'll be hourly to?


If Stagecoach are running the service between Gilley Law and the City Centre only then that's alright...

(27 Jan 2016, 6:16 pm)Michael wrote [ -> ]I hope its only the NEXUS part of the route..... as they only fund that part i think... didn't Stagecoach replace the 14/14A with the 5/5A when they were withdrawn due to loss of links in the Barnes area?

If anyone knows Barnes, a lot of old people rely on the services, i would hate them to see them have to walk to Chester Road/Durham Road for a bus..... the Link between Springwell and Gilley Law, not sure how well its used tbh.

That is a long layover.... no doubt it'll be hourly to?


If Stagecoach are running the service between Gilley Law and the City Centre only then that's alright...

You may be right...! Just had a quick look through for the current contract, and only one bus worth of work is partially secured at the moment. The weekday PVR of the 5/5A services is 3.

Yes, the new contract is an hourly service.

(27 Jan 2016, 6:25 pm)Dan wrote [ -> ]You may be right...! Just had a quick look through for the current contract, and only one bus worth of work is partially secured at the moment. The weekday PVR of the 5/5A services is 3.

Yes, the new contract is an hourly service.

That's not bad, i would imagine the 5/5A will do a loop around the city centre like the 12 does now - if Stagecoach are running the normal route from Gilley Law and City Centre.

The PVR will probables drop to 2.. then the extra Enviro will replace a dart.

Edit:

It also means Stagecoach can just have the 5 - instead of the 5 and 5A......

Thanks Dan. 

I've become a regular user of the 33, always a nice ride on interesting stock from Kinglseys.

I'll miss it when my office moves to Quroum business

After looking around i found that NEXUS only fund the City Centre - Docks part of the route, as Stagecoach fund the Gilley Law - City Centre themselves, obviously meaning that part of the route would only change if Stagecoach wants it to - this is for service 5/5A.

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Stagecoach will probables change the route in the City Centre to do a loop around it, so the route in the City Centre would be something like this: Fawcett Steet - Athenaeum street - John Street - Green Terrace

When will we find out who has won the latest contracts?

(01 Feb 2016, 3:48 pm)Michael wrote [ -> ]When will we find out who has won the latest contracts?

When nexus releases them.

(01 Feb 2016, 3:55 pm)S813 FVK wrote [ -> ]When nexus releases them.

So the day before with NEXUS

(27 Nov 2015, 4:30 pm)Dan wrote [ -> ]Service 15/15A (Kenton Shops - Newcastle City Centre - Walker)
Contract Period: 20/03/2016 - 18/03/2017
Currently operated by Stagecoach North East.

Contractual requirements:
Saturdays Only
4x low-floor Euro 4 vehicles with a minimum capacity of 36 - full size single deck/double deck vehicles are not suitable for this route.

Awarded to Stagecoach North East.

(27 Nov 2015, 4:30 pm)Dan wrote [ -> ]Service 35 (Newcastle City Centre - Red House Farm - Newcastle City Centre)
Contract Period: 20/03/2016 - 18/03/2017
Currently operated by Stagecoach North East.

Contractual requirements:
Saturdays Only
2x low-floor Euro 4 vehicles with a minimum capacity of 49 - full size single deck/double deck vehicles are not suitable for this route.

Awarded to Stagecoach North East.

(04 Dec 2015, 4:36 pm)Dan wrote [ -> ]This contract has now been revised to operate from North Shields to Earsdon Village only. The PVR of this service is therefore reduced to one vehicle, and the final journey of the day from Earsdon Village is now 22:26 instead of 23:25 (previously 22:57 from Cramlington).

There are no alterations to vehicle specification, and the contract period remains the same.

Awarded to Arriva North East.

(03 Feb 2016, 4:55 pm)Dan wrote [ -> ]Awarded to Stagecoach North East.



Awarded to Stagecoach North East.



Awarded to Arriva North East.

Gutted, would of been good if someone else got it.

(27 Nov 2015, 4:30 pm)Dan wrote [ -> ]Service 57A (Cramlington - Seaton Delaval - Whitley Bay - North Tyneside General Hospital - North Shields)
Contract Period: 20/03/2016 - 18/03/2017
Currently operated by Arriva North East.

Contractual requirements:
Daily, evenings only.
2x low-floor Euro 4 vehicles with a minimum capacity of 36.

(04 Dec 2015, 4:36 pm)Dan wrote [ -> ]This contract has now been revised to operate from North Shields to Earsdon Village only. The PVR of this service is therefore reduced to one vehicle, and the final journey of the day from Earsdon Village is now 22:26 instead of 23:25 (previously 22:57 from Cramlington).

There are no alterations to vehicle specification, and the contract period remains the same.

Arriva have now confirmed the reason for this change on Facebook:

This is correct Sharon. The service in the evening is operated under contract and was previously supported jointly by Nexus and Northumberland County Council, but NCC have cut their funding. The service is now only supported in Tyne & Wear. We are continuing with a small number of previously supported journeys on a commercial basis, but the evening service will mostly be discontinued within Northumberland and operate between North Shields and Earsdon only.

(27 Jan 2016, 5:39 pm)Dan wrote [ -> ]Nexus has released further tenders, for contracts commencing later this year. Details summarised below:

Service 39 (Pennywell - Royal Hospital - Sunderland - Ryhope - Doxford Park - Doxford International)
Contract Period: 22/05/2016 - 20/05/2017
Currently operated by Go North East.

Contractual requirements:
Daily, evenings only.
3x low-floor Euro 4 vehicles with a minimum capacity of 36.



Services 77/77A (Gilley Law - Sunderland - Docks - Gilley Law)
Contract Period: 22/05/2016 - 20/05/2017
Currently operated by Stagecoach North East, as services 5/5A.

Contractual requirements:
Daily
1x low-floor Euro 4 vehicle with a minimum capacity of 36.

Heard GNE have kept the 39 and Stagecoach will run the 77/77A.

(29 Feb 2016, 11:49 am)Michael wrote [ -> ]Heard GNE have kept the 39 and Stagecoach will run the 77/77A.

Nexus have not yet sent out an e-mail (at least not to me) to state who the tenders have been awarded to.

(29 Feb 2016, 1:16 pm)Dan wrote [ -> ]Nexus have not yet sent out an e-mail (at least not to me) to state who the tenders have been awarded to.

Ah oh well, i was just sharing what i was told! 


Anyway, how do you get an email about it, is that because you work for GNE?

(27 Jan 2016, 5:39 pm)Dan wrote [ -> ]Nexus has released further tenders, for contracts commencing later this year. Details summarised below:



Services 82/83 (Concord - Barmston - Washington Galleries - Ayton - Birtley)
Contract Period: 22/05/2016 - 20/05/2017
Currently operated by Arriva North East

Contractual requirements:
Daily, evenings only.
3x low-floor Euro 4 vehicles with a minimum capacity of 36.

Deleted my last post, as to many edits.....

Spotted this on the GNE page:

Hi Go North East. Is it true Arriva have lost the contract for the evening shift of the 82 bus that goes through Birtley? If so will you be taking over full contract and running the bus through Northside? Last bus up here 7.20 on a night and doesn't run on a Sunday. My work is compromised as I can't work past 7 o clock as have to run for last bus or taxi. Can't do later shifts as can't get home.

GNE reply: Any changes to the 82 service will be announced on our website in advance of it's implementation. Unfortunately I have no further details at this present moment in time, apologies.


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From Arriva North East on Facebook:

We will no longer be operating this Nexus contracted service after 21st May. The comments will need to be directed to Nexus. Thanks

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Wonder who has won the 82 then... GNE?