(23 Mar 2016, 5:04 pm)Dan wrote [ -> ]92, 83A, 927, 937, 68, 93A - Gateshead Central Taxis
Out of curiosity, will this allow for a spare Solo SR with all of the above being moved to Gateshead Central Taxis? Possible candidate for Hexham, or Deptford to replace an MPD on the 38/238, with one having recently moved to Hexham for the AD122?
(23 Mar 2016, 11:22 am)palatine3833 wrote [ -> ]The contract which Arriva had was due to expire next year apparently, but due to costs and the fact the buses can be utilised elsewhere, the contract was surrendered; hence, the short period for this upcoming tender.
But Arriva wouldn't exactly be short of buses on an evening? Plenty of Solos and E200s will be sat in the depot.
It's unusual for mutual agreement to be reached to end a contract early, or at least without penalty. Is it perhaps a case that Arriva's bid for the work wasn't breaking even, and they've not been able to make any financial progress from it?
(23 Mar 2016, 5:04 pm)Dan wrote [ -> ]39 and 516 also retained by Go North East.
Will the 516 still utilise a Solo SR?
(23 Mar 2016, 11:22 am)palatine3833 wrote [ -> ]The contract which Arriva had was due to expire next year apparently, but due to costs and the fact the buses can be utilised elsewhere, the contract was surrendered; hence, the short period for this upcoming tender.
(23 Mar 2016, 5:11 pm)Adrian wrote [ -> ]But Arriva wouldn't exactly be short of buses on an evening? Plenty of Solos and E200s will be sat in the depot.
It's unusual for mutual agreement to be reached to end a contract early, or at least without penalty. Is it perhaps a case that Arriva's bid for the work wasn't breaking even, and they've not been able to make any financial progress from it?
palatine3833 has been misinformed.
The original tender was a four-year contract which commenced 27/05/2012 and was due to expire 21/05/2016, so the contract will expire as per the original end date specified in the contract.
(23 Mar 2016, 5:07 pm)BJ10VUS wrote [ -> ]Out of curiosity, will this allow for a spare Solo SR with all of the above being moved to Gateshead Central Taxis? Possible candidate for Hexham, or Deptford to replace an MPD on the 38/238, with one having recently moved to Hexham for the AD122?
Yes, an Optare Solo SR will be freed up as a result of the loss of this contract. I would expect it to be repainted red.
(23 Mar 2016, 5:11 pm)South Tyne Lad wrote [ -> ]Will the 516 still utilise a Solo SR?
The contractual requirement is for a Euro 4 vehicle with a minimum capacity of 36. The current contract is for a Euro 5 vehicle of the same capacity.
As such, there'd technically be scope in service 516 being allocated a different vehicle, though I'm unsure if it will be at this stage. It's worth noting that the new contracts do not stipulate the use of a "Nexus" branded vehicle, which would give operators the option to repaint the buses into their own corporate livery, to operate these services.
(23 Mar 2016, 5:20 pm)Dan wrote [ -> ]Yes, an Optare Solo SR will be freed up as a result of the loss of this contract. I would expect it to be repainted red.
Thanks for the information, it's certainly interesting to read about the new contracts not requiring Nexus Buses livery.
(23 Mar 2016, 5:20 pm)Dan wrote [ -> ]palatine3833 has been misinformed.
The original tender was a four-year contract which commenced 27/05/2012 and was due to expire 21/05/2016, so the contract will expire as per the original end date specified in the contract.
Yes, an Optare Solo SR will be freed up as a result of the loss of this contract. I would expect it to be repainted red.
The contractual requirement is for a Euro 4 vehicle with a minimum capacity of 36. The current contract is for a Euro 5 vehicle of the same capacity.
As such, there'd technically be scope in service 516 being allocated a different vehicle, though I'm unsure if it will be at this stage. It's worth noting that the new contracts do not stipulate the use of a "Nexus" branded vehicle, which would give operators the option to repaint the buses into their own corporate livery, to operate these services.
The Solo should go to Percy Main for the spare role of 40/41/80, as they won't have one.
(23 Mar 2016, 5:04 pm)Dan wrote [ -> ]39 and 516 also retained by Go North East.
Oh, grow up.
The running time will be exactly the same as the current evening 82/83 services - if Arriva can stick to this timetable, then Go North East will be able to stick to it as well. Worth noting that the current hourly service is being increased to half-hourly (ish) - departures from Concord at xx41 and xx09, from 19:41 to 23:41.
Well GNE clearly struggle during the day and will for a bit during the evening.
(23 Mar 2016, 7:36 pm)DanPicken wrote [ -> ]Well GNE clearly struggle during the day and will for a bit during the evening.
The roads etc are more busy during the day though, every bus company will have a delay of some sort on their routes.
(23 Mar 2016, 7:36 pm)DanPicken wrote [ -> ]Well GNE clearly struggle during the day and will for a bit during the evening.
How can you compare traffic levels on a day and night? There's no shops open at the Galleries, and you haven't got a constant flow of traffic through Birtley, for a start.
(23 Mar 2016, 8:10 pm)Adrian wrote [ -> ]How can you compare traffic levels on a day and night? There's no shops open at the Galleries, and you haven't got a constant flow of traffic through Birtley, for a start.
Only way buses struggle on an evening/sunday is if the timetable has alot of running time removed!!, if the timetable remains the same then there's no reason why gne drivers cant keep on time.
(23 Mar 2016, 12:18 pm)Dan wrote [ -> ]The Nexus tenders for May 2016 have been awarded as follows:
5/5A (evening and Sunday) - Stagecoach North East
82/83 - Go North East
85/86 - Go North East
592 - Gateshead Central Taxis
593 - Gateshead Central Taxis
92, 83A, 927, 937, 68, 93A - Gateshead Central Taxis
(23 Mar 2016, 1:51 pm)Michael wrote [ -> ]Thanks Dan, glad Stagecoach have kept the evening and Sunday runs, new number for my area to 
Note 5/5A - not 77/77A!
I don't think the 77 will come about at all.
(23 Mar 2016, 5:04 pm)Dan wrote [ -> ]39 and 516 also retained by Go North East.
Oh, grow up.
The running time will be exactly the same as the current evening 82/83 services - if Arriva can stick to this timetable, then Go North East will be able to stick to it as well. Worth noting that the current hourly service is being increased to half-hourly (ish) - departures from Concord at xx41 and xx09, from 19:41 to 23:41.
It already leaves Concord half-hourly at 09 and 41 minutes past each hour until 2341...
(29 Mar 2016, 7:10 am)LeeCalder wrote [ -> ]It already leaves Concord half-hourly at these hours....
I thought it was noteworthy at the time as I misread the tender document. When briefly looking through, it looked as though the 83s had been replaced by 82s, on a half-hourly frequency (but sticking to the same timetable otherwise). Just a case of me mis-reading the timetable...
[
attachment=7748]
(29 Mar 2016, 7:20 am)Dan wrote [ -> ]I thought it was noteworthy at the time as I misread the tender document. When briefly looking through, it looked as though the 83s had been replaced by 82s, on a half-hourly frequency (but sticking to the same timetable otherwise). Just a case of me mis-reading the timetable...
You could have just said you made a mistake
(29 Mar 2016, 7:23 am)LeeCalder wrote [ -> ]You could have just said you made a mistake
Didn't realise until you pointed it out!
(29 Mar 2016, 7:24 am)Dan wrote [ -> ]Didn't realise until you pointed it out!
That's better haha.
I'm guessing it is Riverside that will be running it?
(29 Mar 2016, 7:26 am)LeeCalder wrote [ -> ]That's better haha.
I'm guessing it is Riverside that will be running it?
Unsure if that's been decided yet?
The bus contract register issued by Nexus suggests the contract has been awarded to "Go Northern", but I can't remember if they usually differentiate between the two divisions or not. If they do, it would suggest that a depot in the south division (Washington, I'd assume!) will operate the service.
(29 Mar 2016, 7:29 am)Dan wrote [ -> ]Unsure if that's been decided yet?
The bus contract register issued by Nexus suggests the contract has been awarded to "Go Northern", but I can't remember if they usually differentiate between the two divisions or not. If they do, it would suggest that a depot in the south division (Washington, I'd assume!) will operate the service.
Ah right, it surely would make sense for Washington to continue the service on from normal commercial hours.
(29 Mar 2016, 7:40 am)LeeCalder wrote [ -> ]Ah right, it surely would make sense for Washington to continue the service on from normal commercial hours.
It would especially since there isn't the need for a certain euro engine now, as none of the new contracts have one in them.
Dan have u got the proposed timetable for the 77/77A?, only asking because you've post the 82/83 timetable.
(29 Mar 2016, 8:44 am)Michael wrote [ -> ]It would especially since there isn't the need for a certain euro engine now, as none of the new contracts have one in them.
Dan have u got the proposed timetable for the 77/77A?, only asking because you've post the 82/83 timetable.
I think you're getting a few things what I've said mixed up. There's no contractual requirement for vehicles to be in Nexus livery anymore. There are still Euro rating engine requirements, though a number have been reduced from 5 to 4.
I do, but you'll have to wait until I'm back on my laptop. Haven't been on it much for the past week, given that I've been ill. As I said earlier, services 5/5A have been awarded to Stagecoach, so it's likely to stay pretty similar to the present evening and Sunday operation despite the tender *originally* going out under a new number.
(29 Mar 2016, 9:03 am)Dan wrote [ -> ]I think you're getting a few things what I've said mixed up. There's no contractual requirement for vehicles to be in Nexus livery anymore. There are still Euro rating engine requirements, though a number have been reduced from 5 to 4.
I do, but you'll have to wait until I'm back on my laptop. Haven't been on it much for the past week, given that I've been ill. As I said earlier, services 5/5A have been awarded to Stagecoach, so it's likely to stay pretty similar to the present evening and Sunday operation despite the tender *originally* going out under a new number.
Think i was, typical me, i should just stop posting....
No rush Dan, was just query, like you said the 5/5A should stay the same, was just wondering how the 77/77A timetable would work... if NEXUS have gave a timetable out, as its now going to be ran on a commercial bases.
(29 Mar 2016, 9:08 am)Michael wrote [ -> ]No rush Dan, was just query, like you said the 5/5A should stay the same, was just wondering how the 77/77A timetable would work... if NEXUS have gave a timetable out, as its now going to be ran on a commercial bases.
The timetable from the original tender:
[
attachment=7751]
The timetable from the revised tender:
[
attachment=7752]
Nexus will not set a timetable for the daytime service between City Centre and The Docks that is being taken on commercially by another operator, as it is ultimately down to the operator in question to design a timetable which suits their commercial needs (whether that's designing a timetable in order to allow the service to interwork with another or whether that's by an operator expanding a service so that their network grows).
You will notice that the timetable actually commences 22nd May 2016, so the VOSA registrations will be in by now and should appear online any day now...
(29 Mar 2016, 9:55 am)Dan wrote [ -> ]The timetable from the original tender:
The timetable from the revised tender:
Nexus will not set a timetable for the daytime service between City Centre and The Docks that is being taken on commercially by another operator, as it is ultimately down to the operator in question to design a timetable which suits their commercial needs (whether that's designing a timetable in order to allow the service to interwork with another or whether that's by an operator expanding a service so that their network grows).
You will notice that the timetable actually commences 22nd May 2016, so the VOSA registrations will be in by now and should appear online any day now...
Cheers Dan
A large number of tenders have been released by Nexus this morning. Details as follows:
Service 6 (Newcastle Pilgrim Street - Jesmond Vale - Newcastle Pilgrim Street)
Contract Period: 24/07/2016 to 20/05/2017
Currently operated by Arriva North East
Contractual requirements:
Monday - Saturday
1x low-floor Euro 4 vehicle with a minimum capacity of 23. Maximum vehicle length 8.5m.
Service 6 (Newcastle Pilgrim Street - Jesmond Vale - Newcastle Pilgrim Street)
Service 553 (Battle Hill - Wallsend - Heaton - Freeman Hospital - Regent Centre)
Contract Period: 24/07/2016 to 18/03/2017
Currently operated by Arriva North East
Contractual requirements:
Monday - Saturday
2x low-floor Euro 4 vehicle with a minimum capacity of 23. Maximum vehicle length 8.5m.
Service 8X (South Hylton - Pennywell)
Service 836 (Hamsterley Mill - Blackhal Mill - Highfield St Joseph's RC School)
Service 939 (Sunderland - Washington - Team Valley)
Contract Period: 24/07/2016 to 20/05/2017
Currently operated by Compass Community Transport
Contractual requirements:
Daily
1x low-floor Euro 4 vehicle with a minimum capacity of 16. Maximum vehicle length 7.2m.
Service 13 (West Denton - Dumpling Hall - Lemington - Throckley - Walbottle - Lemington - Dumpling Hall - West Denton)
Contract Period: 24/07/2016 to 18/03/2017
Currently operated by Arriva North East
Contractual requirements:
Monday - Saturday
1x Euro 4 vehicle with a minimum capacity of 23. Maximum vehicle length 9.5m.
Service 17 (Rosehill/Holy Cross - Wallsend - Cramlington)
Contract Period: 24/07/2016 to 18/03/2017
Currently operated by Arriva North East and Phoenix Coaches
Contractual requirements:
Daily
3x Euro 4 vehicles with a minimum capacity of 23.
Service 18/18A (Walker - Byker - Heaton - Four Lane Ends)
Contract Period: 24/07/2016 to 18/03/2017
Currently operated by Arriva North East
Contractual requirements:
Daily; Monday - Saturday evenings, all day Sunday.
2x low-floor Euro 4 vehicles with a minimum capacity of 23.
Service 19 (Northumberland Park - Cobalt - Percy Main - North Shields - North Shields Ferry)
Contract Period: 24/07/2016 to 18/03/2017
Currently operated by Arriva North East and Phoenix Coaches
Contractual requirements:
Daily
2x low-floor Euro 4 vehicles with a minimum capacity of 23. Vehicle must be single-deck due to low bridge.
Service 32/32A (Newcastle - Benwell - Kenton Bar - Freeman Hospital - [Four Lane Ends])
Contract Period: 24/07/2016 to 18/03/2017
Currently operated by Arriva North East and Go North East.
Contractual requirements:
2x vehicles daily evening
4x vehicles Sunday daytime.
Low-floor Euro 4 vehicles with a minimum capacity of 23.
Service 33/33A (City Centre - Jesmond - Hollywood Avenue - Fawdon[33A])
Contract Period: 24/07/2016 to 18/03/2017
Currently operated by Kingsley's Coaches and Arriva North East
Contractual requirements:
Monday - Saturday daytime - 2x low-floor Euro 4 vehicle with a minimum capacity of 36. Maximum vehicle length 11.5m.
Evenings and Sundays - 1x low-floor Euro 4 vehicle with a minimum capacity of 36. Maximum vehicle length 11.5m.
Service 59 (Whitley Bay - Rake Lane - Backworth)
Service 359 (Marden Estate - Rake Lane - West Allotment - Backworth)
Contract Period: 24/07/2016 to 18/03/2017
Currently operated by Arriva North East.
Contractual requirements:
Monday - Saturday
1x low-floor Euro 4 vehicles with a minimum capacity of 23. Maximum vehicle length 9.5m.
PM 59 journeys retimed as resource no longer interworks with W2. Revised route in West Allotment for 359 with journeys in both directions now operating anti-clockwise.
Service 84 (Metrocentre to Newcastle via Scotswood and Benwell)
Service 84A (West Denton Shops to Newcastle via Slatyford, Fenham and RVI Hospital)
Contract Period: 24/07/2016 to 20/05/2017
Currently operated by Arriva North East
Contractual requirements:
Monday - Saturday
2x Euro 4 vehicle with a minimum capacity of 23. Maximum vehicle length 8.5m.
Service 168 (East Rainton - Hetton-le-Hole - Hetton Downs - Easington Lane)
Contract Period: 24/07/2016 to 20/05/2017
Currently operated by Arriva North East
Contractual requirements:
Monday - Saturday
1x Euro 4 vehicle with a minimum capacity of 23. Maximum vehicle length 8.5m.
Service 333 (North Shields - North Shields Ferry - Fish Quay - North Shields - Tynemouth Seafront - North Shields)
Contract Period: 24/07/2016 to 18/03/2017
Currently operated by Phoenix Coaches
Contractual requirements:
Monday - Saturday
1x low-floor Euro 4 vehicle with a minimum capacity of 36.
Service 335 (Four Lane Ends - Benton ASDA - Battle Hill - Hadrian Park - Cobalt Business Park)
Contract Period: 24/07/2016 to 18/03/2017
Currently operated by Arriva North East
Contractual requirements:
Monday - Saturday
2x low-floor Euro 4 vehicle with a minimum capacity of 36
Service 496 (Brunswick Village - Hazlerigg - Kingston Park - Regent Centre - DSS Tyneview Park)
Contract Period: 24/07/2016 to 18/03/2017
Currently operated by Arriva North East
Contractual requirements:
Monday - Friday
1x low-floor Euro 4 vehicle with a minimum capacity of 23.
Revised route and timetable will come with the renewal of this contract. No longer serves Dinnington and operates through Brunswick, Wideopen and Hazlerigg in alternate direction. More direct route between Benton Park Road and Tyneview Park.
Service M71 (Kingston Park Tesco - Westerhope - Kingston Park Tesco)
Contract Period: 24/07/2016 to 18/03/2017
Currently operated by Arriva North East
Contractual requirements:
Monday - Saturday
2x low-floor Euro 4 vehicle with a minimum capacity of 36. Maximum vehicle length 9.5m.
Service W1/W1A (Whitley Bay - Hillheads Estate - West Monkseaton - Sainsbury's - Earsdon Grange)
Contract Period: 24/07/2016 to 18/03/2017
Currently operated by Go North East
Contractual requirements:
Monday - Saturday
2x low-floor Euro 4 vehicle with a minimum capacity of 36. Maximum vehicle length 9m.
Service W2 (Whitley Bay - Brierdene - Whitley Bay)
Contract Period: 24/07/2016 to 18/03/2017
Currently operated by Arriva North East
Contractual requirements:
Monday - Saturday
1x low-floor Euro 4 vehicle with a minimum capacity of 36. Maximum vehicle length 9m.
Service W3 (Whitley Bay - Valley Gardens - North Tyneside General Hospital - New York - Percy Main)
Contract Period: 24/07/2016 to 18/03/2017
Currently operated by Go North East
Contractual requirements:
Monday - Saturday
1x low-floor Euro 4 vehicle with a minimum capacity of 36. Maximum vehicle length 9m.
You do not think how much Arriva actually operate under contract to Nexus.
36 capacity for the 33? Has anyone ever actually seen anymore than 10 people on it, and that's at a peak
Interesting to see they're all one year contracts! The 8X is currently operated by Compass CT of course, not Arriva
Less than one year - only 8 months?
Just a thought, but perhaps the upcoming devolution decision is causing Nexus to not get into any long term contracts?
If devolution goes through, NECA would be responsible for transport in Durham and Northumberland too, resulting in a complete overhaul of how Nexus is funded.
While the recent Nexus contracts show a duration of 1 year many of the contracts have a clause for one extension period of up to 2 years. The contracts could therefore run for 3 years assuming the funding remains available and the supplier performs to contractual requirements.