(17 Mar 2022, 7:10 pm)Michael wrote Seen this on the Sunderland echo site:
Expected ‘tsunami’ of bus cuts on hold for now, but North East travel chiefs warn post-pandemic pain is set to continue without more government cash
https://www.sunderlandecho.com/news/tran...sh-3616431
However can't read it all, as I've hit my limit, so can someone please copy and paste it haha
Expected ‘tsunami’ of bus cuts on hold for now, but North East travel chiefs warn post-pandemic pain is set to continue without more government cash
A “tsunami” of cuts to bus services for most of the North East is on hold for now – but passengers in Tyne and Wear are still expected to feel the pinch.
By Daniel Holland
Thursday, 17th March 2022, 5:40 pm
The region’s bus operators had predicted major cutbacks to routes equivalent to almost a fifth of their mileage after the coronavirus pandemic saw passenger numbers and revenue plummet.
But many under-threat routes appear to have won a stay of execution, after transport secretary Grant Shapps confirmed the government would extend emergency Covid grant funding, offering bus and light rail operators in England more than £150 million, propping them up until October.
On Tuesday (March 15), North East leaders were told the extra cash would allow Go North East, Stagecoach, and Arriva to press pause on many proposed expected in May.
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But Transport North East managing director Tobyn Hughes warned it was already too late to stop some planned cuts across the region and that passengers should expect significant service reductions come October, as ridership levels struggle to return to pre-Covid rates.
It is feared that the cuts, labelled the biggest change to local bus services for 35 years, will mean fewer early morning or late night services, reduced access to city centres and even see some outlying communities cut off entirely.
Mr Hughes told the North East Joint Transport Committee (JTC): “Having had discussions with local bus operators, we understand that the government announcement has led to local operators putting on hold any further reductions to bus services in the next few months.
“While they have been contemplating some, while the funding has been extended they are putting them on hold.”
The news comes after Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham announced plans to cap bus fares in his area at £2 per journey, under a new franchise system that will see new powers handed to local authorities.
South Tyneside councillor Jim Foreman urged the JTC to pursue similar arrangements in the North East as private operators “only answer to one God and that is profit”.
However, any changes are impossible without a new devolution deal for the region.
JTC chair and Gateshead Council leader Martin Gannon warned that without extra resources for public transport there will be a “tsunami of cuts” to bus services.
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(17 Mar 2022, 8:02 pm)Clifton Hignett III wrote As a journalist myself, I am always willing to help my fellow comrades access the wonders of digital journalism by climbing over the paywall to deliver the news upon request:
(25 Feb 2022, 6:11 pm)Dan wrote Nexus has today invited operators to tender for services across Sunderland, Washington and Gateshead.
An anticipated decision to award will be made by 30 March 2022, with contracts awarded on 12 April, with contracts commencing from 15 May.
These tenders do include some services which are currently operated by larger operators on a commercial basis, as well as amendments to existing secured services to accommodate some of these changes.
As with the March 2022 tenders, the tender documents which are now available on the e-portal must be treated as private and confidential and a specific line has been included again to instruct that details of the tender document must not be released other than on an ‘In Confidence’ basis to those who have legitimate need to know or whom they need to consult for the purpose of preparing this tender. This is to give operators time to undertake internal communications, so I'd like to ask that we respect that at this stage.
(09 Apr 2022, 6:39 pm)Unber43 wrote Wonder if GNE will go for 37/73/99Let’s hope Sne keep the 99. I feel thst services should operate on the old pre deregulation setup. SNE town and suburban routes; GnE , district routes. Perfect system Back then. Bring back United buses too. The old PtE guide of 1985 is a good read.
(09 Apr 2022, 9:52 pm)Economic505 wrote Let’s hope Sne keep the 99. I feel thst services should operate on the old pre deregulation setup. SNE town and suburban routes; GnE , district routes. Perfect system Back then. Bring back United buses too. The old PtE guide of 1985 is a good read.It only ever carries fresh air when I see it
(03 May 2022, 8:44 pm)FMichael wrote Dan has confirmed on a Facebook post that Stagecoach has won the 8 (Sunderland to South Hylton) back from end of this monthhttps://www.nexus.org.uk/sites/default/f...150522.pdf
Stagecoach has won the contract to run the evening journeys on the 8 from the end of this month
What will be allocated to the 8?
Wonder what other contracts has been giving out?
(05 May 2022, 3:47 pm)Economic505 wrote https://www.nexus.org.uk/sites/default/f...150522.pdf
(05 May 2022, 5:23 pm)Michael wrote Looking on VOSA, Looks like the 16 is down for a change on the 15th May
939 is too.
Start of some Stagecoach changes?
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