There is a change coming to the Mayoralty in the North East.

The post of North of Tyne Mayor, currently held by Jamie Driscoll, is being abolished.

In its place is a new vacancy for Mayor for the North East.  The area covered will basically be Northumberland, Tyne & Wear and County Durham, excluding Darlington which comes under the remit of the Tees Valley Mayor.

Jamie has not been selected as the Labour candidate and will stand as an independent.  The Labour candidate will be Kim McGuinness.

The candidate list has been published: https://www.sunderland.gov.uk/media/3231...2340905780

• The deadline for registering to vote for this election is 11:59pm on Tuesday 16 April 2024*
• The deadline to apply for a postal vote, or change a current postal vote is 5pm on Wednesday 17 April 2024*
• The deadline to apply to vote by proxy is 5pm on Wednesday 24 April 2024*

* I think all dates may slightly differ, depending on your local authority. You can register to vote online at https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote

(06 Apr 2024, 8:24 am)MetrolineGA1511 wrote There is a change coming to the Mayoralty in the North East.

The post of North of Tyne Mayor, currently held by Jamie Driscoll, is being abolished.

In its place is a new vacancy for Mayor for the North East.  The area covered will basically be Northumberland, Tyne & Wear and County Durham, excluding Darlington which comes under the remit of the Tees Valley Mayor.

Jamie has not been selected as the Labour candidate and will stand as an independent.  The Labour candidate will be Kim McGuinness.

 Both Jamie and Kim will, if they win, introduce bus franchising.
Kim has already announced that if she wins the franchised bus network will be called the “Angel Network”.
Buses will be in the same livery as Metro trains ie mostly yellow.

(10 Apr 2024, 8:34 pm)busmanT wrote  Both Jamie and Kim will, if they win, introduce bus franchising.
Kim has already announced that if she wins the franchised bus network will be called the “Angel Network”.
Buses will be in the same livery as Metro trains ie mostly yellow.

Like I said on a different thread previously, I really hope the entire network is looked at properly, not just buses but a proper integration of Rail, Metro and Bus. More importantly, I hope it isn't just Nexus given the keys to the lot for them to do what they've done to the Metro, there needs to be more reforming then just painting the buses yellow again.

(11 Apr 2024, 2:18 am)deanmachine wrote Like I said on a different thread previously, I really hope the entire network is looked at properly, not just buses but a proper integration of Rail, Metro and Bus. More importantly, I hope it isn't just Nexus given the keys to the lot for them to do what they've done to the Metro, there needs to be more reforming then just painting the buses yellow again.

I hope they scrap the ridiculous 'Angel'. It doesn't represent the North East, at all, and would just show Tyneside bias like pretty much anything like this.

You don't go to Paris and get the Eiffel Bus. It's just not needed at all and pointless. The Bee Network in Manchester is bad enough.

I'd assume it would be the 'expertise' at Transport North East who would take the reins rather than Nexus though.

(10 Apr 2024, 8:34 pm)busmanT wrote  Both Jamie and Kim will, if they win, introduce bus franchising.
Kim has already announced that if she wins the franchised bus network will be called the “Angel Network”.
Buses will be in the same livery as Metro trains ie mostly yellow.

From the transport hustings I attended in Newcastle, the Lib Dem and Green candidate also supported the idea of a franchised bus network.

The Tory, perhaps as expected, spoke a lot about caution about punishing motorists (which I think is the national narrative?) and the Reform candidate didn't really for or against the model, but towed some of the same line as the Tory about motorists.

(11 Apr 2024, 2:18 am)deanmachine wrote Like I said on a different thread previously, I really hope the entire network is looked at properly, not just buses but a proper integration of Rail, Metro and Bus. More importantly, I hope it isn't just Nexus given the keys to the lot for them to do what they've done to the Metro, there needs to be more reforming then just painting the buses yellow again.

It needs to be, but I think realistically it'll be taken over largely as is, then gradual reforms and changes made.

There'll be a lot for everyone to learn, if we're to move forward with this model, and I think one of the biggest decisions will be ensuring we've got the right management in place. As things stand, I'm not convinced we do have. We've a Joint Transport Committee that make the decisions, without a single public transport user amongst them. I think Gannon and Hughes only see a bus when they're stood between it and a camera.

(11 Apr 2024, 12:49 pm)Storx wrote I hope they scrap the ridiculous 'Angel'. It doesn't represent the North East, at all, and would just show Tyneside bias like pretty much anything like this.

You don't go to Paris and get the Eiffel Bus. It's just not needed at all and pointless. The Bee Network in Manchester is bad enough.

I'd assume it would be the 'expertise' at Transport North East who would take the reins rather than Nexus though.

I make no secret about being a big supporter of Jamie Driscoll, but I hope whoever gets in, the first thing they realise is that this never-ending pointless branding just doesn't work. It doesn't need to be branded anything other than 'Transport North East' or whatever the trading name is.

As for colour scheme, then yes, I'd say it makes sense to paint them similar to the Metro, but it's really the least of our worries with the current network.

(11 Apr 2024, 2:11 pm)Adrian wrote I make no secret about being a big supporter of Jamie Driscoll, but I hope whoever gets in, the first thing they realise is that this never-ending pointless branding just doesn't work. It doesn't need to be branded anything other than 'Transport North East' or whatever the trading name is.

As for colour scheme, then yes, I'd say it makes sense to paint them similar to the Metro, but it's really the least of our worries with the current network.

Yeah totally agreed, personally mind I'd rather see them do it a different colour and create a brand between them like London pretty much; ie Orange Overground, Turquoise DLR, Red Bus, Blue/Red Tube, Light Green Tram and so on.

They, kind of, already have it anyway with the colours used on the Nexus site. Why reinvent everything for the sake of it.

I don't see why we can't have a red version of the Metro livery. Would look better than the yellow on buses IMO.

(11 Apr 2024, 12:49 pm)Storx wrote I hope they scrap the ridiculous 'Angel'. It doesn't represent the North East, at all, and would just show Tyneside bias like pretty much anything like this.

You don't go to Paris and get the Eiffel Bus. It's just not needed at all and pointless. The Bee Network in Manchester is bad enough.

I'd assume it would be the 'expertise' at Transport North East who would take the reins rather than Nexus though.

Transport North East is not directly involved in bus network planning - that’s the responsibility of Nexus, Durham and Northumberland County Councils and there is no indication that this will change.

(11 Apr 2024, 6:47 pm)busmanT wrote Transport North East is not directly involved in bus network planning - that’s the responsibility of Nexus, Durham and Northumberland County Councils and there is no indication that this will change.

If we go down the franchising route, I can't see how that'd work with responsibility further devolved at County level? The sensible option would be to extend the existing Tyne and Wear executive to the new CMA region and rename it. That'd bring it inline with having one ITA (Transport North East) to oversee it all.

Suppose GCT is already painted in nexus colours in preparation ???

(11 Apr 2024, 2:11 pm)Adrian wrote From the transport hustings I attended in Newcastle, the Lib Dem and Green candidate also supported the idea of a franchised bus network.

The Tory, perhaps as expected, spoke a lot about caution about punishing motorists (which I think is the national narrative?) and the Reform candidate didn't really for or against the model, but towed some of the same line as the Tory about motorists.


It needs to be, but I think realistically it'll be taken over largely as is, then gradual reforms and changes made.

There'll be a lot for everyone to learn, if we're to move forward with this model, and I think one of the biggest decisions will be ensuring we've got the right management in place. As things stand, I'm not convinced we do have. We've a Joint Transport Committee that make the decisions, without a single public transport user amongst them. I think Gannon and Hughes only see a bus when they're stood between it and a camera.


I make no secret about being a big supporter of Jamie Driscoll, but I hope whoever gets in, the first thing they realise is that this never-ending pointless branding just doesn't work. It doesn't need to be branded anything other than 'Transport North East' or whatever the trading name is.

As for colour scheme, then yes, I'd say it makes sense to paint them similar to the Metro, but it's really the least of our worries with the current network. 

I agree in the sense the network is way more important, but a quick win in deciding on a colour scheme should allow them to focus on the bigger picture and get the network re-built, with the added colour scheme ready to roll out to help support any PR, profile raising, events and consultations.

(10 Apr 2024, 8:34 pm)busmanT wrote  Both Jamie and Kim will, if they win, introduce bus franchising.
Kim has already announced that if she wins the franchised bus network will be called the “Angel Network”.
Buses will be in the same livery as Metro trains ie mostly yellow.

This means that 3 franchised networks - Manchester, Merseyside, North East - will have yellow buses.

Admittedly these to some extent match the colours of Metrolink, MerseyRail and Metro respectively.  So this will provide the appearance of integrated transport in the area.

(20 Apr 2024, 8:42 am)MetrolineGA1511 wrote This means that 3 franchised networks - Manchester, Merseyside, North East - will have yellow buses.

Admittedly these to some extent match the colours of Metrolink, MerseyRail and Metro respectively.  So this will provide the appearance of integrated transport in the area.

THE "recent repaint" threads on here will go into overdrive!!

See ben got bak in in the tees vally - vastly reduce majority though

And McGuinness has won in the North East. Angel Bus Network here we come. 

Disappointing personally. I'm not sure it'll be too integrated like what Driscoll was promising.

(03 May 2024, 1:50 pm)deanmachine wrote And McGuinness has won in the North East. Angel Bus Network here we come. 

Disappointing personally. I'm not sure it'll be too integrated like what Driscoll was promising.

Personally I think people needed to stop believing Driscoll was going to deliver anything. I looked really hard into a lot of his claims, and all I found was a lot of fudged statistics. 

Whether McGuinness will be any better, who knows. But I'm happy to give her a shot. She can't be any worse than Driscoll and at least is more visible than he is.

(03 May 2024, 3:48 pm)Shrek wrote Personally I think people needed to stop believing Driscoll was going to deliver anything. I looked really hard into a lot of his claims, and all I found was a lot of fudged statistics. 

Whether McGuinness will be any better, who knows. But I'm happy to give her a shot. She can't be any worse than Driscoll and at least is more visible than he is.

Can you give specifics of which statistic you believe to be fudged, and what you have to support that?

(03 May 2024, 3:48 pm)Shrek wrote Personally I think people needed to stop believing Driscoll was going to deliver anything. I looked really hard into a lot of his claims, and all I found was a lot of fudged statistics. 

Whether McGuinness will be any better, who knows. But I'm happy to give her a shot. She can't be any worse than Driscoll and at least is more visible than he is.

Disagree she can't be any worse. People keep saying that Labour won't give us any money if we don't vote for her, when the deal was already done and the cash already available. I do hope it brings us better public transport at the least, but I'm not sure it's better than the alternative we could have had.

(04 May 2024, 1:48 am)deanmachine wrote Disagree she can't be any worse. People keep saying that Labour won't give us any money if we don't vote for her, when the deal was already done and the cash already available. I do hope it brings us better public transport at the least, but I'm not sure it's better than the alternative we could have had.

I have very low expectations personally. It's obviously the likes of Gammon will be in charge now and Nexus which is fully operated by Labour councils is such a fantastic operation aswell.

Like Turkeys voting for Christmas in transport terms.

The fact one of her manifestos was to do an app just sums it up, there's been nothing stopping them doing it anyway. Other areas have managed to do it, it's literally the point of the stuff like the BSIP which we've chose to waste of pointless bus stations and bus routes to Mars.

(04 May 2024, 6:18 am)Storx wrote I have very low expectations personally. It's obviously the likes of Gammon will be in charge now and Nexus which is fully operated by Labour councils is such a fantastic operation aswell.

Like Turkeys voting for Christmas in transport terms.

The fact one of her manifestos was to do an app just sums it up, there's been nothing stopping them doing it anyway. Other areas have managed to do it, it's literally the point of the stuff like the BSIP which we've chose to waste of pointless bus stations and bus routes to Mars.

Does it go via Wiltshire Drive, if so excellent use of money

Given that Kim plans to franchise buses over the whole of her area, I wonder whether Nexus will continue to exist as such. We can still have a local management for Metro and some local tickets/fares for days restricted to Tyne & Wear.

There are rumours that even in Newcastle Kim got more votes than Jamie. So, has the job of North of Tyne Mayor continued and they both gone head to head, Kim might even have been voted in by the electorate in this more restricted area.

(04 May 2024, 9:18 am)MetrolineGA1511 wrote Given that Kim plans to franchise buses over the whole of her area, I wonder whether Nexus will continue to exist as such.  We can still have a local management for Metro and some local tickets/fares for days restricted to Tyne & Wear.

There are rumours that even in Newcastle Kim got more votes than Jamie.  So, has the job of North of Tyne Mayor continued and they both gone head to head, Kim might even have been voted in by the electorate in this more restricted area.

she on each area including north tyneside from what i read

(04 May 2024, 9:18 am)MetrolineGA1511 wrote Given that Kim plans to franchise buses over the whole of her area, I wonder whether Nexus will continue to exist as such.  We can still have a local management for Metro and some local tickets/fares for days restricted to Tyne & Wear.

There are rumours that even in Newcastle Kim got more votes than Jamie.  So, has the job of North of Tyne Mayor continued and they both gone head to head, Kim might even have been voted in by the electorate in this more restricted area.

Newcastle
McGuiness - 26,429
Driscoll - 25,018

North Tyneside
McGuiness - 24,858
Driscoll - 18,325

Northumberland
McGuinness - 27,992
Driscoll - 22,716

McGuinness would therefore have beaten Driscoll in the smaller North of Tyne area.

(06 May 2024, 11:59 am)markydh wrote Newcastle
McGuiness - 26,429
Driscoll - 25,018

North Tyneside
McGuiness - 24,858
Driscoll - 18,325

Northumberland
McGuinness - 27,992
Driscoll - 22,716

McGuinness would therefore have beaten Driscoll in the smaller North of Tyne area.

That's interesting, thank you for sharing these figures.

(04 May 2024, 9:18 am)MetrolineGA1511 wrote Given that Kim plans to franchise buses over the whole of her area, I wonder whether Nexus will continue to exist as such.  We can still have a local management for Metro and some local tickets/fares for days restricted to Tyne & Wear.

There are rumours that even in Newcastle Kim got more votes than Jamie.  So, has the job of North of Tyne Mayor continued and they both gone head to head, Kim might even have been voted in by the electorate in this more restricted area.

The set up of the Transport function in the NECA (Mayoral area) is complex. 

Nexus is the trading name of The Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Executive, a body corporate under the Transport Act 1968 - so abolishing Nexus isn't very easy.

NECA  has delegated to the county councils (Durham & Northumberland) the exercise of the following functions in their respective areas: 
a) implementing concessionary travel schemes pursuant to sections 93 -105 of the Transport Act 1985; 
b) determining local bus information to be made available, and the way in which it should be made available, pursuant to sections 139 to 143B of the Transport Act 2000; 
c) determining the operation, performance and development of accessible transport provision (including the provision of grants) pursuant to section 106 of the Transport Act 1985; d) all obligations of county councils relating to mandatory travel concessions pursuant to sections 145A to 150 of the Transport Act 2000. 
e) those functions of County Councils set out in Part IV of the Transport Act 1985 (Passenger Transport in areas other than Integrated Transport Areas) under:  
• section 63 – functions of local councils with respect to passenger transport  
• section 81 – provision, maintenance and operation of bus stations 
• section 82 – bus stations: restriction on discriminatory practices

So it's not clear how the Mayor will introduce franchising in Northumberland and Durham unless the County Councils also want it (which isn't guaranteed).

What would that mean for services that cross into T&W if Durham and Northumbria say no.

(26 May 2024, 3:34 pm)F114TML wrote What would that mean for services that cross into T&W if Durham and Northumbria say no.

Imagine they'll just end up excluding anything ran by Consett, Ashington or Belmont.

Blyth who knows as that's the only really questionable one especially the 306/308/43/44/45/47

Don't believe GNE run anything which is exclusively in Durham or Northumberland which isn't ran by Consett which isn't contracted. I know in Manchester you just have to get a permit to continue operating it cross boundary, ie the Witchway services which are similar to most of these.

Are the 34s contracted? Or are they also Consett, now?

(26 May 2024, 8:16 pm)BusLoverMum wrote Are the 34s contracted? Or are they also Consett, now?

Good shout actually, totally forgot about that one. Not sure what they'd do with that, suppose it could move to Consett though.