Latest contract awards - Nexus 39/81-84/85-86/135-136
Latest contract awards - Nexus 39/81-84/85-86/135-136
(11 May 2020, 4:20 pm)6049 Whatever the reason, if people pay £15 a week for a ticket that currently gets the on any GNE bus anywhere in Washington any time of the day, they're going to resent paying full fare after 7pm going forward.
It'll be the drivers who'll kop ths flak for it as usual
Sent from my SM-G965F using Tapatalk
(11 May 2020, 4:20 pm)6049 Whatever the reason, if people pay £15 a week for a ticket that currently gets the on any GNE bus anywhere in Washington any time of the day, they're going to resent paying full fare after 7pm going forward.
It'll be the drivers who'll kop ths flak for it as usual
Sent from my SM-G965F using Tapatalk
Bus deregulation has to be one of the biggest con jobs implemented by the Tories. Completion died out by the early 1990s , leading to today’s cosy relationship between GNE, SNE and Arriva , and the sh*te service levels that they provide. I remember pre 1986 pretty well and how we had comprehensive and integrated services. Perhaps I m looking at it with rose tinted spectacles ?.
(11 May 2020, 8:58 pm)Economic505 Bus deregulation has to be one of the biggest con jobs implemented by the Tories. Completion died out by the early 1990s , leading to today’s cosy relationship between GNE, SNE and Arriva , and the sh*te service levels that they provide. I remember pre 1986 pretty well and how we had comprehensive and integrated services. Perhaps I m looking at it with rose tinted spectacles ?.
I mistyped the word ‘competition’ in the above reply.
(11 May 2020, 8:58 pm)Economic505 Bus deregulation has to be one of the biggest con jobs implemented by the Tories. Completion died out by the early 1990s , leading to today’s cosy relationship between GNE, SNE and Arriva , and the sh*te service levels that they provide. I remember pre 1986 pretty well and how we had comprehensive and integrated services. Perhaps I m looking at it with rose tinted spectacles ?.
I mistyped the word ‘competition’ in the above reply.
(11 May 2020, 8:58 pm)Economic505 Bus deregulation has to be one of the biggest con jobs implemented by the Tories. Completion died out by the early 1990s , leading to today’s cosy relationship between GNE, SNE and Arriva , and the sh*te service levels that they provide. I remember pre 1986 pretty well and how we had comprehensive and integrated services. Perhaps I m looking at it with rose tinted spectacles ?.
I mistyped the word ‘competition’ in the above reply.
(11 May 2020, 8:58 pm)Economic505 Bus deregulation has to be one of the biggest con jobs implemented by the Tories. Completion died out by the early 1990s , leading to today’s cosy relationship between GNE, SNE and Arriva , and the sh*te service levels that they provide. I remember pre 1986 pretty well and how we had comprehensive and integrated services. Perhaps I m looking at it with rose tinted spectacles ?.
I mistyped the word ‘competition’ in the above reply.
(12 May 2020, 10:45 am)Storx It's a bit harsh to compare 1986 to now, lots of things have changed and you would never know how regulated buses would work nowadays. Back in 1986 supermarkets and out of town shopping was almost unheard of. (The Metro Centre opened then).
One of the bigger problems in the North East especially in Tyne and Wear is Nexus imo. They have a serious conflict of interest and are way too interested in their own Metro rather than anything else so we end having these situations where we're going for the cheapest option which may not necesarily be the best option for the customer. Half the time it comes across it's Nexus vs bus companies which when your supposed to represent the transport in the area is a problem.
Not to mention they couldn't run a piss up in a brewery. North Shields over budget, trains refurbishment - over budget, station refurbishments half arsed, Central Station over budget, serious management issues with the Metro and that's just the start of it.
(12 May 2020, 10:45 am)Storx It's a bit harsh to compare 1986 to now, lots of things have changed and you would never know how regulated buses would work nowadays. Back in 1986 supermarkets and out of town shopping was almost unheard of. (The Metro Centre opened then).
One of the bigger problems in the North East especially in Tyne and Wear is Nexus imo. They have a serious conflict of interest and are way too interested in their own Metro rather than anything else so we end having these situations where we're going for the cheapest option which may not necesarily be the best option for the customer. Half the time it comes across it's Nexus vs bus companies which when your supposed to represent the transport in the area is a problem.
Not to mention they couldn't run a piss up in a brewery. North Shields over budget, trains refurbishment - over budget, station refurbishments half arsed, Central Station over budget, serious management issues with the Metro and that's just the start of it.
(11 May 2020, 8:58 pm)Economic505 Bus deregulation has to be one of the biggest con jobs implemented by the Tories. Completion died out by the early 1990s , leading to today’s cosy relationship between GNE, SNE and Arriva , and the sh*te service levels that they provide. I remember pre 1986 pretty well and how we had comprehensive and integrated services. Perhaps I m looking at it with rose tinted spectacles ?.
I mistyped the word ‘competition’ in the above reply.
Nexus have uploaded some of the new timetables:
39: https://www.nexus.org.uk/modules/contrib...on-pdf.png
81-84: https://www.nexus.org.uk/modules/contrib...on-pdf.png
85-86: https://www.nexus.org.uk/sites/default/f...170520.pdf
135/136: https://www.nexus.org.uk/modules/contrib...on-pdf.png
(11 May 2020, 8:58 pm)Economic505 Bus deregulation has to be one of the biggest con jobs implemented by the Tories. Completion died out by the early 1990s , leading to today’s cosy relationship between GNE, SNE and Arriva , and the sh*te service levels that they provide. I remember pre 1986 pretty well and how we had comprehensive and integrated services. Perhaps I m looking at it with rose tinted spectacles ?.
I mistyped the word ‘competition’ in the above reply.
(12 May 2020, 10:45 am)Storx It's a bit harsh to compare 1986 to now, lots of things have changed and you would never know how regulated buses would work nowadays. Back in 1986 supermarkets and out of town shopping was almost unheard of. (The Metro Centre opened then).
One of the bigger problems in the North East especially in Tyne and Wear is Nexus imo. They have a serious conflict of interest and are way too interested in their own Metro rather than anything else so we end having these situations where we're going for the cheapest option which may not necesarily be the best option for the customer. Half the time it comes across it's Nexus vs bus companies which when your supposed to represent the transport in the area is a problem.
Not to mention they couldn't run a piss up in a brewery. North Shields over budget, trains refurbishment - over budget, station refurbishments half arsed, Central Station over budget, serious management issues with the Metro and that's just the start of it.
(12 May 2020, 10:45 am)Storx It's a bit harsh to compare 1986 to now, lots of things have changed and you would never know how regulated buses would work nowadays. Back in 1986 supermarkets and out of town shopping was almost unheard of. (The Metro Centre opened then).
One of the bigger problems in the North East especially in Tyne and Wear is Nexus imo. They have a serious conflict of interest and are way too interested in their own Metro rather than anything else so we end having these situations where we're going for the cheapest option which may not necesarily be the best option for the customer. Half the time it comes across it's Nexus vs bus companies which when your supposed to represent the transport in the area is a problem.
Not to mention they couldn't run a piss up in a brewery. North Shields over budget, trains refurbishment - over budget, station refurbishments half arsed, Central Station over budget, serious management issues with the Metro and that's just the start of it.
(12 May 2020, 3:23 pm)Andreos1 Genuine question, but what have operators done to ensure a sustained level of service, from a variety of locations, to those out of town retail parks?
Silverlink, Retail World, Teesside Park are just three major examples with awful levels of service. There will be others.
The metro centre, which was built with bus and train in mind - has services, but they tend to follow a similar route in/and out of the place.
Dalton Park also has a similar pattern with its public transport.
There's been 30 years and plenty of opportunity for operators to adapt post deregulation and serve those markets in an effective manner. Not sure they have.
Goes back to passenger needs again. If we apply the 'does it meet passenger needs' question to the services in those areas, I think we all know what the answer will be.
I don't think it's harsh to compare before and after.
(12 May 2020, 3:23 pm)Andreos1 Genuine question, but what have operators done to ensure a sustained level of service, from a variety of locations, to those out of town retail parks?
Silverlink, Retail World, Teesside Park are just three major examples with awful levels of service. There will be others.
The metro centre, which was built with bus and train in mind - has services, but they tend to follow a similar route in/and out of the place.
Dalton Park also has a similar pattern with its public transport.
There's been 30 years and plenty of opportunity for operators to adapt post deregulation and serve those markets in an effective manner. Not sure they have.
Goes back to passenger needs again. If we apply the 'does it meet passenger needs' question to the services in those areas, I think we all know what the answer will be.
I don't think it's harsh to compare before and after.
London was never deregulated, so we do have an example to work from . TFL run a rail network (like Nexus) and also have a lot more say on bus services than what Nexus have. As for Nexus having a vested interest in the Metro, maybe that’s true. However, where I live, the Metro only serves a small proportion of the population.
(12 May 2020, 12:52 pm)Michael Nexus have uploaded some of the new timetables:The thing with Stagecoach both in Sunderland and South Shields has been the lack of double deckers. The reason we have 10 min services on nearly all routes is the older services used to have 20 min frequencies operated by double deckers with 77-86 seats. Once the double deckers were taken off and replaced by various darts with 40 seat capacity they had to increase frequency. I would be happy to see services reduce in frequency in long term back to 20 min intervals and have deckers on the routes. Only thing then is you will have surplus drivers.
39: https://www.nexus.org.uk/modules/contrib...on-pdf.png
81-84: https://www.nexus.org.uk/modules/contrib...on-pdf.png
85-86: https://www.nexus.org.uk/sites/default/f...170520.pdf
135/136: https://www.nexus.org.uk/modules/contrib...on-pdf.png
I actually think Stagecoach, GNE and Arriva run a decent service.
Why would they have buses running around on a 10 minute frequency, if they aren't getting the passengers needed to run the service?, before the crisis Stagecoach were planning cut the frequency of their Sunderland services because passenger numbers dropped.
(12 May 2020, 12:52 pm)Michael Nexus have uploaded some of the new timetables:The thing with Stagecoach both in Sunderland and South Shields has been the lack of double deckers. The reason we have 10 min services on nearly all routes is the older services used to have 20 min frequencies operated by double deckers with 77-86 seats. Once the double deckers were taken off and replaced by various darts with 40 seat capacity they had to increase frequency. I would be happy to see services reduce in frequency in long term back to 20 min intervals and have deckers on the routes. Only thing then is you will have surplus drivers.
39: https://www.nexus.org.uk/modules/contrib...on-pdf.png
81-84: https://www.nexus.org.uk/modules/contrib...on-pdf.png
85-86: https://www.nexus.org.uk/sites/default/f...170520.pdf
135/136: https://www.nexus.org.uk/modules/contrib...on-pdf.png
I actually think Stagecoach, GNE and Arriva run a decent service.
Why would they have buses running around on a 10 minute frequency, if they aren't getting the passengers needed to run the service?, before the crisis Stagecoach were planning cut the frequency of their Sunderland services because passenger numbers dropped.
(12 May 2020, 4:39 pm)Storx It's very hard to pin point that down to deregulation though was more of my point I don't question any of that however. Lot's of things have changed since then and there's nothing to say that regulated buses wouldn't have gone down the same route. Things like the Metro Centre and out of town shopping centre's were pretty much developed with the car in mind and whoever ran them would always have the issues.
Comparing the NHS from 1986 and now I'm sure would throw up some scary statistics, do you really think the government would care about buses? They'd be bottom of the pile for any form of realistic investment and councils wouldn't have the money to prop them up neither. I could imagine them being in a similar state to the local train network was before the Metro was developed.
I don't question the issues that you've said above though just more I could imagine if they were still regulated they'd be even worse.
(12 May 2020, 4:39 pm)Storx It's very hard to pin point that down to deregulation though was more of my point I don't question any of that however. Lot's of things have changed since then and there's nothing to say that regulated buses wouldn't have gone down the same route. Things like the Metro Centre and out of town shopping centre's were pretty much developed with the car in mind and whoever ran them would always have the issues.
Comparing the NHS from 1986 and now I'm sure would throw up some scary statistics, do you really think the government would care about buses? They'd be bottom of the pile for any form of realistic investment and councils wouldn't have the money to prop them up neither. I could imagine them being in a similar state to the local train network was before the Metro was developed.
I don't question the issues that you've said above though just more I could imagine if they were still regulated they'd be even worse.
(12 May 2020, 5:07 pm)Economic505 London was never deregulated, so we do have an example to work from . TFL run a rail network (like Nexus) and also have a lot more say on bus services than what Nexus have. As for Nexus having a vested interest in the Metro, maybe that’s true. However, where I live, the Metro only serves a small proportion of the population.
(12 May 2020, 5:07 pm)Economic505 London was never deregulated, so we do have an example to work from . TFL run a rail network (like Nexus) and also have a lot more say on bus services than what Nexus have. As for Nexus having a vested interest in the Metro, maybe that’s true. However, where I live, the Metro only serves a small proportion of the population.
From Sunday 17 May, some evening and Sunday bus services in the Washington and Sunderland areas will no longer be run by us and will be operated by Gateshead Central Taxis instead.
Our tickets will still be valid on these journeys – here’s the full details for each of the services:
Black Cats 39 (Doxford Park – Sunderland City Centre – Pennywell)
Evening journeys from around 7.30pm on Mondays to Fridays, 6.30pm on Saturdays and 7pm on Sundays will be run by Gateshead Central Taxis.
indiGo Washington – 81, 82, 83 & 84
Evening journeys from 7.30pm on Mondays to Saturdays and from around 6.30pm on Sundays will be run by Gateshead Central Taxis.
indiGo Washington – 85 & 86
Evening journeys from 7.30pm on Mondays to Saturdays and from around 5pm on Sundays will be run by Gateshead Central Taxis.
Services 135 & 136
All evening and Sunday journeys on these services will now be run by Gateshead Central Taxis. The early morning journeys on Mondays to Saturdays will continue to be run by Go North East.
Service 168
This service will now be run fully by Gateshead Central Taxis.
https://www.gonortheast.co.uk/nexus-contract-service-changes-17-may-2020
Looks like ticket acceptance has been agreed
From Sunday 17 May, some evening and Sunday bus services in the Washington and Sunderland areas will no longer be run by us and will be operated by Gateshead Central Taxis instead.
Our tickets will still be valid on these journeys – here’s the full details for each of the services:
Black Cats 39 (Doxford Park – Sunderland City Centre – Pennywell)
Evening journeys from around 7.30pm on Mondays to Fridays, 6.30pm on Saturdays and 7pm on Sundays will be run by Gateshead Central Taxis.
indiGo Washington – 81, 82, 83 & 84
Evening journeys from 7.30pm on Mondays to Saturdays and from around 6.30pm on Sundays will be run by Gateshead Central Taxis.
indiGo Washington – 85 & 86
Evening journeys from 7.30pm on Mondays to Saturdays and from around 5pm on Sundays will be run by Gateshead Central Taxis.
Services 135 & 136
All evening and Sunday journeys on these services will now be run by Gateshead Central Taxis. The early morning journeys on Mondays to Saturdays will continue to be run by Go North East.
Service 168
This service will now be run fully by Gateshead Central Taxis.
(13 May 2020, 9:07 am)streetdeckfan https://www.gonortheast.co.uk/nexus-contract-service-changes-17-may-2020
Looks like ticket acceptance has been agreed
(13 May 2020, 9:07 am)streetdeckfan https://www.gonortheast.co.uk/nexus-contract-service-changes-17-may-2020
Looks like ticket acceptance has been agreed
(12 May 2020, 5:07 pm)Economic505 London was never deregulated, so we do have an example to work from . TFL run a rail network (like Nexus) and also have a lot more say on bus services than what Nexus have. As for Nexus having a vested interest in the Metro, maybe that’s true. However, where I live, the Metro only serves a small proportion of the population.
(12 May 2020, 5:07 pm)Economic505 London was never deregulated, so we do have an example to work from . TFL run a rail network (like Nexus) and also have a lot more say on bus services than what Nexus have. As for Nexus having a vested interest in the Metro, maybe that’s true. However, where I live, the Metro only serves a small proportion of the population.
(13 May 2020, 9:51 am)Andreos1 Excellent news! Really glad to hear that passengers aren't going to lose out financially.
(13 May 2020, 9:51 am)Andreos1 Excellent news! Really glad to hear that passengers aren't going to lose out financially.
(13 May 2020, 11:22 am)deanmachine Wonder what GCT are going to use though? Quite a difference if it ends up being a little van compared to a 17 plate Streetlite, won't be the nicest experience for the people who live in Ryhope and work at Doxford finishing late.
(13 May 2020, 11:22 am)deanmachine Wonder what GCT are going to use though? Quite a difference if it ends up being a little van compared to a 17 plate Streetlite, won't be the nicest experience for the people who live in Ryhope and work at Doxford finishing late.
(13 May 2020, 7:10 pm)Andreos1 I'm not sure what's supposed to be allocated. Can't remember if it was ever mentioned on here.ohh how I remember the days of Arriva operating what is now the 81/82 as the M3 in 2014, I specifically remember them operating through Barmston/Biddick several minutes early and then spending nearly 10 mins sitting at The Galleries heading towards Birtley, can see similar with GCT going forward and I do think they win a lot of contracts from the big 3 three year on year as they stipulate they'll use new fuel efficient buses, whereas if they matched what another operator was going to use vehicle wise then I think the latter would then keep the contract.
It's an interesting one whichever way you look at it.
Two thoughts jump straight to mind and would have ensured a different outcome (certainly on a short-term basis):
* GNE could operate the services commercially and ensure a standard vehicle allocation is maintained during operating hours.
* Nexus could award the contract on different weightings.
I think the ticket acceptance is probably middle ground and the best outcome in the circumstances.
Going forward, I do think lessons need to be learned. It's not the first time this sort of thing has happened and I'm not sure it can continue.
(13 May 2020, 7:10 pm)Andreos1 I'm not sure what's supposed to be allocated. Can't remember if it was ever mentioned on here.ohh how I remember the days of Arriva operating what is now the 81/82 as the M3 in 2014, I specifically remember them operating through Barmston/Biddick several minutes early and then spending nearly 10 mins sitting at The Galleries heading towards Birtley, can see similar with GCT going forward and I do think they win a lot of contracts from the big 3 three year on year as they stipulate they'll use new fuel efficient buses, whereas if they matched what another operator was going to use vehicle wise then I think the latter would then keep the contract.
It's an interesting one whichever way you look at it.
Two thoughts jump straight to mind and would have ensured a different outcome (certainly on a short-term basis):
* GNE could operate the services commercially and ensure a standard vehicle allocation is maintained during operating hours.
* Nexus could award the contract on different weightings.
I think the ticket acceptance is probably middle ground and the best outcome in the circumstances.
Going forward, I do think lessons need to be learned. It's not the first time this sort of thing has happened and I'm not sure it can continue.
(13 May 2020, 9:07 pm)Malarkey ohh how I remember the days of Arriva operating what is now the 81/82 as the M3 in 2014, I specifically remember them operating through Barmston/Biddick several minutes early and then spending nearly 10 mins sitting at The Galleries heading towards Birtley, can see similar with GCT going forward and I do think they win a lot of contracts from the big 3 three year on year as they stipulate they'll use new fuel efficient buses, whereas if they matched what another operator was going to use vehicle wise then I think the latter would then keep the contract.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/adammalarkey/14400906258/in/album-72157649335867148/
(13 May 2020, 9:07 pm)Malarkey ohh how I remember the days of Arriva operating what is now the 81/82 as the M3 in 2014, I specifically remember them operating through Barmston/Biddick several minutes early and then spending nearly 10 mins sitting at The Galleries heading towards Birtley, can see similar with GCT going forward and I do think they win a lot of contracts from the big 3 three year on year as they stipulate they'll use new fuel efficient buses, whereas if they matched what another operator was going to use vehicle wise then I think the latter would then keep the contract.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/adammalarkey/14400906258/in/album-72157649335867148/
