North East Buses

So have Stanley Travel won the ones that GCT have not registered?

(26 Jan 2018, 6:55 pm)Tom wrote [ -> ]So have Stanley Travel won the ones that GCT have not registered?

I believe they won 84 84A from phoenix Coaches

We ran a public consultation on planned changes to the 643 from 27 November 2017 to 04 January 2018. We received 1 e-mail from a local ward Councillor in Sunniside and 11 e-mails, 4 phone calls and 1 letter from members of the public.



In summary:

- Residents in Sunniside were supportive of the proposal

- Residents in The Lakes Estate (Whickham) were opposed to the revised route through their estate (requesting retention of the route through Coniston Avenue/Orchard Road as opposed to the proposed route via Duckpool Lane)

- Residents on Lambton Avenue and in the Lakes Estate were opposed to the planned frequency reduction

- Residents on Lambton Avenue and in the Lakes Estate were opposed to the planned later start time - with a preference to travel to Whickham Front Street before 10am

- Some residents on Lambton Avenue and in the Lakes Estate were supportive of the extension to/from Sunniside - considering that it would help make the service more sustainable longer term



Next steps:

In light of the feedback received we have decided to introduce a new route/timetable for the 643 with effect from Monday 19th March 2018.



Key features of the proposed new timetable include:

- Frequency of service reduced to hourly and route extended to/from Sunniside

- Planned route revised following consultation

o Existing route retained in the Lakes Estate

o In the Sunniside area to remove duplication with the GNE service 6

- Proposed timetable revised following consultation

o Provision of 0930 trip from Lambton Avenue to Whickham Front Street will continue

o Revised times throughout the day to offer improved co-ordination with GNE service 6 over common sections



For the new 643 timetable/route effective from 19 March 2018 please click on the link below. Passengers should also be aware that revised fares will be introduced on the 643 with effect from the same date – this being part of a wider regional fares review on Nexus funded bus services.



We would like to thank everyone who responded to the consultation for taking the time to provide us with their views.

(18 Dec 2017, 9:45 am)Dan wrote [ -> ]Not yet.

Washington services have now gone up for tender renewal.

81, 82, 83, 84
3x Euro 4 vehicles with a minimum capacity of 36 passengers
Monday to Sunday evenings
20/05/2018 - 18/05/2019

85/86
2x Euro 4 vehicles with a minimum capacity of 36 passengers
Monday to Sunday evenings
20/05/2018 to 18/05/2019

Any news on these?

Heard that GNE have won the W2 off phoenix and K3

(10 Feb 2018, 10:48 am)Jordan2104 wrote [ -> ]Heard that GNE have won the W2 off phoenix and K3

Still a few services missing on Vosa mind.
Wonder if there has been some last minute changes.

(10 Feb 2018, 10:48 am)Jordan2104 wrote [ -> ]Heard that GNE have won the W2 off phoenix and K3

Yep you were right, now registered on Vosa. So now Gateshead Taxis and Go North East have all of the contracts more or less, other than Stanley Travel winning the 84/84A.

My guess would be a couple of the baby Solos transfer to Percy Main to operate the W2 and K3 (Freeman Hospital-Forest Hall). Worth noting GNE cancelled but then re-registered the 33/33A and W1/W1A.

Just to formally confirm what we already know in one list:

• 13 (West Denton – Throckley – Wallbottle – West Denton): Awarded to Gateshead Central Taxis
  
• K1/K2 (Four Lane Ends – Killingworth – Four Lane Ends/ Four Lane Ends – Greenhills Estate) - Awarded to Gateshead Central Taxis:
  
• 59/359 (Whitley bay – Backworth/ Marden estate - Backworth): Awarded to Gateshead Central Taxis
  

• 84/84A (Metrocentre – Newcastle via Scotswood/ West Denton – Newcastle via Slatyford): Awarded to Stanley Travel
  

• 42A, 11, 42, 40/41, 19 Group Bid (Cramlington – Kingston Park - Wallsend Whitley Bay - Wallsend Wallsend – Battle Hill – Hadrian Park - Wallsend Northumberland Park – North Shields Ferry): Awarded to Go North East
  
• 33/33A (Fawdon – Hollywood Ave - Newcastle): Awarded to Go North East
  
• W1/W1A & W2 Group Bid (Whitley bay – Brier Dene Whitley Bay – Earsdon Grange): Awarded to Go North East
  
• K3 (Freeman Hosp – Forest Hall): Awarded to Go North East
  

• 6/553 (Newcastle – Jesmond Vale, Battle Hill – Freeman Hosp): Awarded to Arriva North East
  

Go North East was also awarded two scholars/Miscelleanous Workings (previously Nightingale Coaches) from yesterday, to be operated until 31st August 2018. Two double-decks in the Special Events Fleet have therefore been reinstated in Riverside's fleet.

(20 Feb 2018, 4:17 pm)Dan wrote [ -> ]Just to formally confirm what we already know in one list:

• 13 (West Denton – Throckley – Wallbottle – West Denton): Awarded to Gateshead Central Taxis
  
• K1/K2 (Four Lane Ends – Killingworth – Four Lane Ends/ Four Lane Ends – Greenhills Estate) - Awarded to Gateshead Central Taxis:
  
• 59/359 (Whitley bay – Backworth/ Marden estate - Backworth): Awarded to Gateshead Central Taxis
  

• 84/84A (Metrocentre – Newcastle via Scotswood/ West Denton – Newcastle via Slatyford): Awarded to Stanley Travel
  

• 42A, 11, 42, 40/41, 19 Group Bid (Cramlington – Kingston Park - Wallsend Whitley Bay - Wallsend Wallsend – Battle Hill – Hadrian Park - Wallsend Northumberland Park – North Shields Ferry): Awarded to Go North East
  
• 33/33A (Fawdon – Hollywood Ave - Newcastle): Awarded to Go North East
  
• W1/W1A & W2 Group Bid (Whitley bay – Brier Dene Whitley Bay – Earsdon Grange): Awarded to Go North East
  
• K3 (Freeman Hosp – Forest Hall): Awarded to Go North East
  

• 6/553 (Newcastle – Jesmond Vale, Battle Hill – Freeman Hosp): Awarded to Arriva North East
  

Go North East was also awarded two scholars/Miscelleanous Workings (previously Nightingale Coaches) from yesterday, to be operated until 31st August 2018. Two double-decks in the Special Events Fleet have therefore been reinstated in Riverside's fleet.

So were all services not included in North Tyneside/Newcastle (335, W3, M71 etc.) in the recent tendering?

And will we see Baby Solos on the K3 and W2 when the new Solos arrive for the 40?

(20 Feb 2018, 4:35 pm)Tom wrote [ -> ]So were all services not included in North Tyneside/Newcastle (335, W3, M71 etc.) in the recent tendering?

And will we see Baby Solos on the K3 and W2 when the new Solos arrive for the 40?

The K3 will be a straightforward transfer of the current baby Solo that's on the 13 (lost to Gateshead Central Taxis).

(20 Feb 2018, 4:38 pm)Dan wrote [ -> ]The K3 will be a straightforward transfer of the current baby Solo that's on the 13 (lost to Gateshead Central Taxis).

Of course yeah, forgot about that.
I'd imagine a baby solo on the W2 as well, as the roads are pretty tight around Brierdene.

Nexus are running the annual tender for Monday to Friday Miscellaneous Workings to start on 2/9/18.
Requirement is Euro 4, DDA compliant with capacity of 44, 60 and 84.

(18 Dec 2017, 9:45 am)Dan wrote [ -> ]Not yet.

Washington services have now gone up for tender renewal.

81, 82, 83, 84
3x Euro 4 vehicles with a minimum capacity of 36 passengers
Monday to Sunday evenings
20/05/2018 - 18/05/2019

85/86
2x Euro 4 vehicles with a minimum capacity of 36 passengers
Monday to Sunday evenings
20/05/2018 to 18/05/2019

Any news on these?, been a while since this was post.

(17 Mar 2017, 4:01 pm)Dan wrote [ -> ]Invitations to tender for services sent out this afternoon:

Service 37 (Weekday Peak Times)
1x low-floor Euro 4 bus with a minimum capacity of 36
Contract period: 23/07/2017 - 21/07/2018

Service 37/73 (Mon-Sat daytime)
3x low-floor Euro 4 buses with a minimum capacity of 49
Contract period: 23/07/2017 - 21/07/2018

Service 88 (Evenings)
4x low-floor Euro 4 buses with a minimum capacity of 36.
Contract period: 23/07/2017 - 21/07/2018

Services 92, 83A, 927, 937, 68 and 93A (Mon-Sat daytime)
1x low-floor Euro 4 bus with a minimum capacity of 36
Maximum vehicle length 8.9m
Contract period: 23/07/2017 - 21/07/2018

Services 515/558 (Daily)
2x Euro 4 buses with a minimum capacity of 49
Contract period: 23/07/2017 - 21/07/2018

Service 643 (Mon-Sat daytime)
1x low-floor Euro 4 bus with a minimum capacity of 16
Maximum vehicle length 8.0m
Contract period: 23/07/2017 - 21/07/2018

Services R3/R4/R6 (Daily)
3x Euro 4 buses with a minimum capacity of 23
Maximum vehicle length 9.0m
Contract period: 23/07/2017 - 21/07/2018

Are these up for tender, or just renewed with the current operators?

Central Taxis have the new contract for the 643 starting on 22nd July.

PB1099280/76 Registered
CENTRAL TAXIS GATESHEAD LTD
Route: Metrocentre to Sunnyside
Service number: 643
Service type: Normal Stopping
Effective date: 22 Jul 2018

(15 May 2018, 4:27 pm)GuyParkRoyal wrote [ -> ]Central Taxis have the new contract for the 643 starting on 22nd July.

PB1099280/76 Registered
CENTRAL TAXIS GATESHEAD LTD
Route: Metrocentre to Sunnyside
Service number: 643
Service type: Normal Stopping
Effective date: 22 Jul 2018

At least they spelt Sunniside correctly...

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(15 May 2018, 4:31 pm)Jamie M wrote [ -> ]At least they spelt Sunniside correctly...

It's pretty much mandatory for destinations to be misspelt on VOSA, anyone for Sandberge?! [emoji23]

Will stanley pick up another route now with a spare solo

(16 May 2018, 3:32 pm)JM03 wrote [ -> ]Will stanley pick up another route now with a spare solo

Hm?

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(16 May 2018, 4:51 pm)Jamie M wrote [ -> ]Hm?

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Stanley Travel - I understand your confusion!

(16 May 2018, 4:52 pm)S813 FVK wrote [ -> ]Stanley Travel - I understand your confusion!

Apparently Stanley are loosing the R5 aswell.

(16 May 2018, 5:54 pm)S830OFT wrote [ -> ]Apparently Stanley are loosing the R5 aswell.

Struggling to keep a hold of routes, any reason for stanley travel losing their routes

(16 May 2018, 8:15 pm)JM03 wrote [ -> ]Struggling to keep a hold of routes, any reason for stanley travel losing their routes

Down to bids really, if GCT bid less then they’ll be chosen

(16 May 2018, 8:16 pm)Tom wrote [ -> ]Down to bids really, if GCT bid less then they’ll be chosen

GCT really knocking all the competition out right now, won't be surprised if they go for bigger targets soon like certain arriva and GNE routes soon EG- 553?

(16 May 2018, 8:18 pm)JM03 wrote [ -> ]GCT really knocking all the competition out right now, won't be surprised if they go for bigger targets soon like certain arriva and GNE routes soon EG- 553?

They need buses and drivers hours to do it, both of which are major limitations, especially for a smaller operator. Not just funding for contracts.

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(16 May 2018, 8:18 pm)JM03 wrote [ -> ]GCT really knocking all the competition out right now, won't be surprised if they go for bigger targets soon like certain arriva and GNE routes soon EG- 553?

To be fair to them, I don’t have any complaints about the service. Pretty decent on the 335, never have any major reliability issues even at peak times

(16 May 2018, 8:26 pm)Jamie M wrote [ -> ]They need buses and drivers hours to do it, both of which  are major limitations, especially for a smaller operator. Not just funding for contracts.

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Fair enough but they are taking Phoenix and Stanley down with ease the way I see it going at the moment.

(16 May 2018, 8:28 pm)JM03 wrote [ -> ]Fair enough but they are taking Phoenix and Stanley down with ease the way I see it going at the moment.

It doesn't seem that long ago that Phoenix and Stanley were dominating these tenders.
Is it as simple as being undercut or are business objectives changing?

(16 May 2018, 8:18 pm)JM03 wrote [ -> ]GCT really knocking all the competition out right now, won't be surprised if they go for bigger targets soon like certain arriva and GNE routes soon EG- 553?

(17 May 2018, 6:22 am)Andreos1 wrote [ -> ]It doesn't seem that long ago that Phoenix and Stanley were dominating these tenders.
Is it as simple as being undercut or are business objectives changing?

It's not always based on price - there's sometimes a quality weighting too.

I believe Gateshead Central Taxis were awarded the 643 based on quality, despite being priced higher than competitors. The Bluebird-type minibuses are all Euro 6, which gets them brownie points in the tender process.

Has it been confirmed who has gained the 23, 37, 73, 515 and 558 yet?