Hi everyone,

I’ve recently moved to Newcastle from the North West, and I’ve been quite surprised by how public transport information is presented and communicated here.

Back in Greater Manchester, even before the Bee Network launched, Transport for Greater Manchester ensured that every bus stop had clear, high-quality timetables. You could (and still) pick up printed timetable leaflets for every route from local travel centres - simple, accessible, and very user-friendly.

Neighbouring authorities like Lancashire County Council and Blackburn & Darwen Borough Council follow a similar approach, and it certainly helps that they allow operators like Transdev to produce their own high quality publicity and materials.

So I’m wondering: why isn’t this the case in the North East?

From what I understand, Nexus is meant to promote and coordinate public transport in Tyne and Wear, but they don’t seem to be doing that effectively. If a small borough council like Blackburn can maintain good-quality passenger information, why can’t a large body like Nexus?

At the roadside, information seems minimal and often poorly formatted, with no real effort made to present data clearly or consistently. Printed materials are almost non-existent, even though I realise this is technically up to the operators. Still, the absence of even a basic network map not even a PDF version online is quite disappointing.

It makes me wonder how new or occasional users are supposed to get to grips with the local transport network at all - as its actually decent if you know what you are looking for. 

Frankly, apart from Strathclyde Partnership for Transport, Nexus seem among the weakest in the UK when it comes to publicity and passenger information.

Appreciate there is bus reform on the horizon, but that is years off

1500 has now returned to Blyth following repaint, looking much smarter.
I understand 1501 has now gone in its place so will be next to be done.

The Northern Group Enthusiast Club are running an outing for their 60th anniversary - Saturday 8th November

"To celebrate the 60th Anniversary, we’ve teamed up with our friends at Northstar for a 60th Anniversary route recreation day!

Details are below! PREBOOKING MANDATORY

Members, your form will be through via email. If you have not provided one or know those who struggle with the page, ask them to contact the Chairman from details on his previous letter. Non Members welcome, please contact the page, details below!"

You can contact them through their page at: https://www.facebook.com/share/1BCAfdz2Nk/

36972 is at sheilds exchange for 10631

1500 has gone for repaint, it was last seen at Blackburn Bus & Coach 

https://flic.kr/p/2rxsa7S

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1664vRctUa/

They're needing a new home.

I'm not sure many of you on here got the chance to attend this event as part of celebrating Heaton Train Care Depot 150th Anniversary coinciding on the eve the 200th Anniversary of the Railway this upcoming Thursday 25th September.

It was nice morning yesterday having a look around and a better day weather wise also, hopefully some more events can be arranged in the future as it seemed to be very well received by all those who attended and it for a good cause also.

Here are some of my photos from the event: https://www.flickr.com/photos/adammalark...0329164420
https://www.flickr.com/photos/adammalark...0329164420

GNE currently asking for thoughts about potential service changes within Newcastle/Gateshead, Sunderland and County Durham which are expected to be implemented on October 26th 2025:  Link to changes

Drop in events for these changes are at:

Thursday 28 August - 3pm-6pm - Sunderland Park Lane Interchange.
Friday 29 August - 9am-12pm - Durham Bus Station.
Monday 1 September - 9am-12pm - Sunderland Park Lane Interchange.
Tuesday 2 September - 3pm-6pm - Durham Bus Station.
Thursday 4 September - 9.30am-1pm - Houghton Library

I have to say this year's Seaburn Rally was the most disappointing rally I've ever seen.. There seems to be less and less buses every year. It's supposed to be a historic vehicle rally but there were way too many post millennium vehicles - a lot that the non enthusiast would think could still be used in service today as they still look modern.  

There were absolutely no Leyland Nationals, only one Olympian and one Bristol VRT and considerably fewer Atlanteans. There were barely any other older single decks and about one coach and I'm sorry that is very poor. 

The highlight of the day was having a ride on the open top Atlantean which I really enjoyed but apart from that I was massively disappointed to be honest. I understand this could be down to the ridiculous costs of living these days and I understand that vehicles like ex NGT 4710 are undergoing an overhaul etc, so I'm not trying to be unreasonable but I was really disappointed. I

 was hoping to catch a ride on 3501 but once again it was not used on the Heritage Tour and hasn't been for a few years and it seems the same vehicles are used every year. I haven't seen the likes of ex NGT 3406, 3469, 3636 for a few years to name a few. I  also haven't seen the Northumbria livered Delta for a while, and there was the absence of 3656, 3661, 3741 and 4708 and the ex Busways Scania etc. I was also disappointed with the selection of cars on display although there were some new additions that I hadn't seen previously, so it wasn't all bad.

I normally book holidays to attend the rally each year as I used to go with my Dad and have kept going since after he passed away but if it continues to decline I see very little point of going in the future.

Recently noticed that the 74 is no longer split reg at Matfen, bringing the total route length to just over 50Km. Does this mean that they’re using Tachographs on the route now or are they just hoping that it’s slipped through the net to allow U21’s to drive the route without question?