(13 Feb 2014, 8:15 pm)tyresmoke wrote Let's not forget they're a massive company - just the bus operation may be small but they have lots of minibuses (around 30-40?) and the taxi operation is pretty huge too.

I hadn't realised how big they are, but I've had a good look around their website now.

Tom asked about the tenders for March 2014 somewhere and I can't find it now so thought I would post in this thread seeing as it is the best place for it anyway...

K1/K2 Killingworth locals - won by Phoenix Coaches
Mon-Sat daytime - Euro 3 - PVR 1 - size restriction 7100mm length
15/15A Kenton Shops - Walker
Saturday daytime - Euro 4 - PVR 4
17 Rosehill - Cramlington - won by Phoenix Coaches
Mon-Sat evening - Euro 3 - PVR 3
18 Benton Estate - Walker
Saturday daytime - Euro 3 - PVR 3
32/32A Four Lane Ends - Benwell (- Newcastle on Sat only)
Mon-Sat daytime - Euro 3 - PVR 3 (6 on Sat) - size restriction 11000mm length
includes service 16 Four Lane Ends - Byker Sat daytime
33 Newcastle - Hollywood Ave - won by Kingsleys
Mon-Sat daytime - Euro 3 - PVR 2
35 Newcastle - Red House Farm
Saturday daytime - Euro 4 - PVR 2
71A Kingston Park - Throckley Ind Est
Mon-Sat eve, Sunday daytime - Euro 3 - PVR 1

(16 Feb 2014, 8:06 pm)tyresmoke wrote Tom asked about the tenders for March 2014 somewhere and I can't find it now so thought I would post in this thread seeing as it is the best place for it anyway...

K1/K2 Killingworth locals - won by Phoenix Coaches
Mon-Sat daytime - Euro 3 - PVR 1 - size restriction 7100mm length
15/15A Kenton Shops - Walker
Saturday daytime - Euro 4 - PVR 4
17 Rosehill - Cramlington - won by Phoenix Coaches
Mon-Sat evening - Euro 3 - PVR 3
18 Benton Estate - Walker
Saturday daytime - Euro 3 - PVR 3
32/32A Four Lane Ends - Benwell (- Newcastle on Sat only)
Mon-Sat daytime - Euro 3 - PVR 3 (6 on Sat) - size restriction 11000mm length
includes service 16 Four Lane Ends - Byker Sat daytime
33 Newcastle - Hollywood Ave - won by Kingsleys
Mon-Sat daytime - Euro 3 - PVR 2
35 Newcastle - Red House Farm
Saturday daytime - Euro 4 - PVR 2
71A Kingston Park - Throckley Ind Est
Mon-Sat eve, Sunday daytime - Euro 3 - PVR 1

I did - Thanks for posting that.

It looks like some of the contracts have automatically re-newed because some say they ran out in 2013 but bus companies still run them

(16 Feb 2014, 8:06 pm)tyresmoke wrote Tom asked about the tenders for March 2014 somewhere and I can't find it now so thought I would post in this thread seeing as it is the best place for it anyway...

K1/K2 Killingworth locals - won by Phoenix Coaches
Mon-Sat daytime - Euro 3 - PVR 1 - size restriction 7100mm length
15/15A Kenton Shops - Walker
Saturday daytime - Euro 4 - PVR 4
17 Rosehill - Cramlington - won by Phoenix Coaches
Mon-Sat evening - Euro 3 - PVR 3
18 Benton Estate - Walker
Saturday daytime - Euro 3 - PVR 3
32/32A Four Lane Ends - Benwell (- Newcastle on Sat only)
Mon-Sat daytime - Euro 3 - PVR 3 (6 on Sat) - size restriction 11000mm length
includes service 16 Four Lane Ends - Byker Sat daytime
33 Newcastle - Hollywood Ave - won by Kingsleys
Mon-Sat daytime - Euro 3 - PVR 2
35 Newcastle - Red House Farm
Saturday daytime - Euro 4 - PVR 2
71A Kingston Park - Throckley Ind Est
Mon-Sat eve, Sunday daytime - Euro 3 - PVR 1

Having looked at this list properly, it's quite interesting. Seems that Stagecoach won't be operating any of the 32/33/35 on Saturday or the 18? The new 16 looks interesting

Does anyone know when the Great Park and Ride X40 and 40A contract will next be up for renewal?

(16 Feb 2014, 8:06 pm)tyresmoke wrote Tom asked about the tenders for March 2014 somewhere and I can't find it now so thought I would post in this thread seeing as it is the best place for it anyway...

K1/K2 Killingworth locals - won by Phoenix Coaches
Mon-Sat daytime - Euro 3 - PVR 1 - size restriction 7100mm length
15/15A Kenton Shops - Walker
Saturday daytime - Euro 4 - PVR 4
17 Rosehill - Cramlington - won by Phoenix Coaches
Mon-Sat evening - Euro 3 - PVR 3
18 Benton Estate - Walker
Saturday daytime - Euro 3 - PVR 3
32/32A Four Lane Ends - Benwell (- Newcastle on Sat only)
Mon-Sat daytime - Euro 3 - PVR 3 (6 on Sat) - size restriction 11000mm length
includes service 16 Four Lane Ends - Byker Sat daytime
33 Newcastle - Hollywood Ave - won by Kingsleys
Mon-Sat daytime - Euro 3 - PVR 2
35 Newcastle - Red House Farm
Saturday daytime - Euro 4 - PVR 2
71A Kingston Park - Throckley Ind Est
Mon-Sat eve, Sunday daytime - Euro 3 - PVR 1

Heard anymore about who has won these contracts?

PB1099280/12 - CENTRAL TAXIS GATESHEAD LTD, 53 - 55 HIGH STREET, FELLING, GATESHEAD, NE10 9LU

Registration Accepted by SN
Starting Point: KINGSTON PARK METRO STATION
Finish Point: THROCKLEY INDUSTRIAL ESTATE
Via:
Service Number: 71A
Service Type: Hail & Ride
Effective Date: 23-MAR-2014
Other Details: MONDAY TO SUNDAY

Gateshead Central Taxis have won the contract for the 71A.

(02 Mar 2014, 9:42 pm)Tom wrote Heard anymore about who has won these contracts?

GCT have today registered the 71A.

I know the 74/688/689 are up for tender, are Go North East retaining these services?

(24 Mar 2014, 3:56 pm)Tom wrote I know the 74/688/689 are up for tender, are Go North East retaining these services?

Northumberland haven't announced the results yet as far as I know. They're leaving it late mind!

(24 Mar 2014, 4:03 pm)tyresmoke wrote Northumberland haven't announced the results yet as far as I know. They're leaving it late mind!

Can't see Arriva or any other company getting them like.

Are the 74/688/689 grouped together as one contract or does each have its own tender?

If so, then it's not out of the question for Weardale, Stanley Taxis or even Garnetts to bid for the 689 as the service both starts and finishes in Consett.

However, I can't see anyone else bidding for the 74/688 as both start and finish in Hexham. I suppose Tyne Valley Coaches could bid on these tenders, but, the question has to be asked, do they have enough buses to cover these contracts?

Presumably, the H11 and H53 are tendered services but what about the 683 and 687?

(24 Mar 2014, 5:20 pm)AdamY wrote Are the 74/688/689 grouped together as one contract or does each have its own tender?

If so, then it's not out of the question for Weardale, Stanley Taxis or even Garnetts to bid for the 689 as the service both starts and finishes in Consett.

However, I can't see anyone else bidding for the 74/688 as both start and finish in Hexham. I suppose Tyne Valley Coaches could bid on these tenders, but, the question has to be asked, do they have enough buses to cover these contracts?

Presumably, the H11 and H53 are tendered services but what about the 683 and 687?

I think the 687 is commercial, not sure about the 683. They are seperate contract, but I agree, I'd like to see Garnetts or Weardale to bid for those services. I don't see why Arriva can't bid for the 74 as the evening journeys start/finish in Matfen.

(24 Mar 2014, 5:22 pm)Tom wrote I don't see why Arriva can't bid for the 74 as the evening journeys start/finish in Matfen.

Looking at the timetable, there is one (Monday-Saturday) evening journey which starts/finishes in Matfen arriving at 21:50 before heading back into Newcastle at 22:00. After returning to Newcastle, it then operates on the 23:00 service back to Hexham where it ends.

The 74A terminates at Matfen on a Sunday. It also starts/finishes at Newcastle. If this is also a separate contract then there is no reason why Arriva or even Stagecoach can't bid for this tender. However, if both services are included in the same tender, then there would be a lot of dead mileage running to Hexham and back during the week.

(24 Mar 2014, 5:33 pm)AdamY wrote Looking at the timetable, there is one (Monday-Saturday) evening journey which starts/finishes in Matfen arriving at 21:50 before heading back into Newcastle at 22:00. After returning to Newcastle, it then operates on the 23:00 service back to Hexham where it ends.

The 74A terminates at Matfen on a Sunday. It also starts/finishes at Newcastle. If this is also a separate contract then there is no reason why Arriva or even Stagecoach can't bid for this tender. However, if both services are included in the same tender, then there would be a lot of dead mileage running to Hexham and back during the week.

Yeah, I didn't realise that. Think it'd have to be Go North East then unless they add a extra journey back to Newcastle at 0020 from Hexham?

(24 Mar 2014, 5:40 pm)Tom wrote Think it'd have to be Go North East then unless they add a extra journey back to Newcastle at 0020 from Hexham?

That would be an interesting journey to say the least. Perhaps one for the most committed of bus enthusiast to undertake.

The tenders in Northumberland were to start on 7th April, however all existing contracts have now been extended until 1st September.

The routes up for tender were

74 Hexham - Newcastle
79 Ponteland - Morpeth
613 Whittonstall - Hexham
681 Slaggyford - Haltwhistle
683 Hexham - Newbrough
688 Hexham - Allenheads
689 Consett - Hexham
691 Morpeth and Upper Coquetdale "Dial a ride"
693/694 Hexham and Kielder "Dial a ride"
695 Hexham and Blanchland "Dial a ride"
696 Carrshield and Hexham "Dial a ride"
808 Otterburn - Newcastle
880 Bellingham - Hexham
882 Bellingham/Colwell - Hexham
883 Byrness - Hexham
889 Alston - Hexham
915 Otterburn - Kielder - Bellingham
AD122 Hadrians Wall (Newcastle based board)

(24 Mar 2014, 6:00 pm)tyresmoke wrote The tenders in Northumberland were to start on 7th April, however all existing contracts have now been extended until 1st September.

The routes up for tender were

74 Hexham - Newcastle
79 Ponteland - Morpeth
613 Whittonstall - Hexham
681 Slaggyford - Haltwhistle
683 Hexham - Newbrough
688 Hexham - Allenheads
689 Consett - Hexham
691 Morpeth and Upper Coquetdale "Dial a ride"
693/694 Hexham and Kielder "Dial a ride"
695 Hexham and Blanchland "Dial a ride"
696 Carrshield and Hexham "Dial a ride"
808 Otterburn - Newcastle
880 Bellingham - Hexham
882 Bellingham/Colwell - Hexham
883 Byrness - Hexham
889 Alston - Hexham
915 Otterburn - Kielder - Bellingham
AD122 Hadrians Wall (Newcastle based board)

Are the services highlighted in red new services?

(24 Mar 2014, 6:03 pm)Tom wrote Are the services highlighted in red new services?

No Tom, Howard Snaith run them both
79 runs every Wednesday, it starts at the Airport... 613 appears to be every Tuesday
http://www.howardsnaith.co.uk/79.pdf
http://www.howardsnaith.co.uk/613.pdf

The 79 was a service which operated between Newcastle and Morpeth via Ponteland. I'd imagine, at some point, it was curtailed to operate between Ponteland and Morpeth only.

The 613 has ran since the late 70's (possibly before) between Whittonstall (sometimes Hedley) and Hexham.

(24 Mar 2014, 6:06 pm)tyresmoke wrote No Tom, Howard Snaith run them both
79 runs every Wednesday, it starts at the Airport... 613 appears to be every Tuesday
http://www.howardsnaith.co.uk/79.pdf
http://www.howardsnaith.co.uk/613.pdf

(24 Mar 2014, 6:06 pm)AdamY wrote The 79 was a service which operated between Newcastle and Morpeth via Ponteland. I'd imagine, at some point, it was curtailed to operate between Ponteland and Morpeth only.

The 613 has ran since the late 70's (possibly before) between Whittonstall (sometimes Hedley) and Hexham.

Thanks both, I think there are also other additional services that run to Hexham on a Tuesday as that is market day.

(24 Mar 2014, 6:13 pm)Tom wrote Thanks both, I think there are also other additional services that run to Hexham on a Tuesday as that is market day.

Sure are, that 883 and the 889 are also Tuesday market day services. 889 is run by Wright Bros at present. The 883 is Howard Snaith if I remember right. You'll usually find the coach park full during the summer.

(24 Mar 2014, 6:13 pm)Tom wrote Thanks both, I think there are also other additional services that run to Hexham on a Tuesday as that is market day.

I uploaded an old West Northumberland timetable to the Bygone era a few months back. The Hexham services are included in that and, apart from GNE/Arriva depot swap and the service changes initiated from that, nothing much else has changed except from the odd operator.

Take a look:

West Northumberland (May 1982 - April 1983)

(24 Mar 2014, 6:18 pm)tyresmoke wrote Sure are, that 883 and the 889 are also Tuesday market day services. 889 is run by Wright Bros at present. The 883 is Howard Snaith if I remember right. You'll usually find the coach park full during the summer.

So you know how you said the contracts has been extended until September, does that exclude the AD122?

(24 Mar 2014, 6:20 pm)AdamY wrote I uploaded an old West Northumberland timetable to the Bygone era a few months back. The Hexham services are included in that and, apart from GNE/Arriva depot swap and the service changes initiated from that, nothing much else has changed except from the odd operator.

Take a look:

West Northumberland (May 1982 - April 1983)

Very interesting read, thanks for sharing.

(24 Mar 2014, 6:24 pm)Tom wrote So you know how you said the contracts has been extended until September, does that exclude the AD122?

As far as I know - yes it does. Appears that the funding is jointly provided by Northumberland and Cumbria, of which Cumbria have pulled their part. So it looks very much like there will be no AD122 this summer, unless some funding can be found to provide a limited service.

(24 Mar 2014, 6:27 pm)tyresmoke wrote As far as I know - yes it does. Appears that the funding is jointly provided by Northumberland and Cumbria, of which Cumbria have pulled their part. So it looks very much like there will be no AD122 this summer, unless some funding can be found to provide a limited service.

That's a real shame. Shame it's not commercially viable.

The 74A terminates at Matfen on a Sunday. It also starts/finishes at Newcastle. If this is also a separate contract then there is no reason why Arriva or even Stagecoach can't bid for this tender. However, if both services are included in the same tender, then there would be a lot of dead mileage running to Hexham and back during the week.
[/quote]

I am lead to believe, that the Sunday 74A Starts at Hexham as service X84, and finishes at Hexham as X84. This is why the times of X84 are at 'strange' times. The additional trips on X84 are meal relief trips I believe.

My opinion is that the 74A on Sunday should be operated by Saltmeadows using a Solo, and the X84 should be retimed to provide more convenient times, and be run by Saltmeadows as well using a solo, or a Quaylink. (with trips Newcastle-Ovington only).

As for the Nexus stuff....

K1/K2 Killingworth locals - won by Phoenix Coaches
Mon-Sat daytime - Euro 3 - PVR 1 - size restriction 7100mm length
15/15A Kenton Shops - Walker - won by Stagecoach
Saturday daytime - Euro 4 - PVR 4
17 Rosehill - Cramlington - won by Phoenix Coaches
Mon-Sat evening - Euro 3 - PVR 3
18 Benton Estate - Walker - Not awarded
Saturday daytime - Euro 3 - PVR 3
32/32A Four Lane Ends - Benwell (- Newcastle on Sat only) - Not awarded
Mon-Sat daytime - Euro 3 - PVR 3 (6 on Sat) - size restriction 11000mm length
includes service 16 Four Lane Ends - Byker Sat daytime
33 Newcastle - Hollywood Ave - won by Kingsleys
Mon-Sat daytime - Euro 3 - PVR 2
35 Newcastle - Red House Farm - won by Stagecoach
Saturday daytime - Euro 4 - PVR 2
71A Kingston Park - Throckley Ind Est - won by Gateshead Central Taxis
Mon-Sat eve, Sunday daytime - Euro 3 - PVR 1

(24 Mar 2014, 7:34 pm)tyresmoke wrote As for the Nexus stuff....

K1/K2 Killingworth locals - won by Phoenix Coaches
Mon-Sat daytime - Euro 3 - PVR 1 - size restriction 7100mm length
15/15A Kenton Shops - Walker - won by Stagecoach
Saturday daytime - Euro 4 - PVR 4
17 Rosehill - Cramlington - won by Phoenix Coaches
Mon-Sat evening - Euro 3 - PVR 3
18 Benton Estate - Walker - Not awarded
Saturday daytime - Euro 3 - PVR 3
32/32A Four Lane Ends - Benwell (- Newcastle on Sat only) - Not awarded
Mon-Sat daytime - Euro 3 - PVR 3 (6 on Sat) - size restriction 11000mm length
includes service 16 Four Lane Ends - Byker Sat daytime
33 Newcastle - Hollywood Ave - won by Kingsleys
Mon-Sat daytime - Euro 3 - PVR 2
35 Newcastle - Red House Farm - won by Stagecoach
Saturday daytime - Euro 4 - PVR 2
71A Kingston Park - Throckley Ind Est - won by Gateshead Central Taxis
Mon-Sat eve, Sunday daytime - Euro 3 - PVR 1

What are Stagecoach going to use on the 15 and 35? The darts aren't Euro4, are they?