Indeed.

When travelling on Schooldays before 0900 adult single fare will be charged. A peak child return fare is available priced at 2/3 of the adult return.

The rules may vary when the service is financially funded by Lincolnshire County Council. Children pay 2/3 of the adult single and return fares at all times.

All passengers who are aged sixteen and above are charged adult fare, unless using a valid council issued pass. Children who have reached the age of sixteen but are travelling to / from school continue to pay the appropriate child rate until the end of the current school year.

(05 Jun 2014, 7:21 pm)Dan wrote What's the fares like for kids down in Lincoln? I'm sure I heard something about child fares being non-existent at peak times when they're travelling to/from school and they're forced to buy Adult Dayriders as it is the cheapest method.

Was something crazy along those lines anyway.

I can ask the question, but being out in the sticks - fares may be different.

Other cities and counties offer great deals.

It is worth noting, DCC often assist with fares to/from schools.

(05 Jun 2014, 7:24 pm)Tom wrote Indeed.

That's the one. Knew it was ridiculously awkward to travel as a kid on a schoolday, and I was fairly positive in telling the person I discussed it with at the time that it is a lot cheaper to travel up here, providing you have the appropriate bus pass, regardless of which county you're travelling in.

(05 Jun 2014, 7:30 pm)Dan wrote That's the one. Knew it was ridiculously awkward to travel as a kid on a schoolday, and I was fairly positive in telling the person I discussed it with at the time that it is a lot cheaper to travel up here, providing you have the appropriate bus pass, regardless of which county you're travelling in.

I think that's the only place I've seen fares like that, as almost every county of the UK I have been to have always charged half fares regardless of the time. It's shocking really, and is just going to put people off using public transport to travel to school.

(05 Jun 2014, 7:32 pm)Tom wrote I think that's the only place I've seen fares like that, as almost every county of the UK I have been to have always charged half fares regardless of the time. It's shocking really, and is just going to put people off using public transport to travel to school.

Does mean that Stagecoach rake in the cash from those who cannot find an alternative means of travel though!
Go North East do that in County Durham, just a lot less extreme (in my opinion).

(05 Jun 2014, 7:34 pm)Dan wrote Does mean that Stagecoach rake in the cash from those who cannot find an alternative means of travel though!
Go North East do that in County Durham, just a lot less extreme (in my opinion).

Guess so! I reckon Tyne & Wear has the best concessionary child fares in the country - £1.10 for a day ticket is brilliant value.

(05 Jun 2014, 7:36 pm)Tom wrote Guess so! I reckon Tyne & Wear has the best concessionary child fares in the country - £1.10 for a day ticket is brilliant value.

You're spoilt! Had kids on this morning paying £1.50 for a single to school in Guisborough...

(05 Jun 2014, 7:00 pm)aureolin wrote I'd imagine. There's no (or little) subsidy in Co. Durham, so it's up to commercial operators to create their own schemes if they choose to do so. I think the peak/off peak is GNE only in Co. Durham though? Arriva is half the full fare, capped at £1.

Can't the teen card not be used til after 6 though? Meaning scholars are charged half fares? So £4.00 fare would be £2.00 but 14+ pay full fare as half fares no longer apply. So GNE could still be better value.

VOSA reveals more information about the upcoming tenders, as seen in Michael's post from the Go North East - Latest section below:

(09 Jun 2014, 3:48 pm)Michael wrote PB0002400/444 - GO NORTHERN LTD T/A GO NORTH EAST, 117 QUEEN STREET, GATESHEAD, NE8 2UA
Variation Accepted: Operating between South Shields Market and Hebburn Lukes Lane Estate given service number 88 / 88A effective from 27-Jul-2014. To amend Timetable.

PB0002400/481 - GO NORTHERN LTD T/A GO NORTH EAST, 117 QUEEN STREET, GATESHEAD, NE8 2UA
Variation Accepted: Operating between Sunderland, Park Lane Interchange and Houghton Le Spring, The Broadway given service number 238/38/38C effective from 27-Jul-2014. To amend Timetable.

Still somewhat irritated that Go North East hasn't retained services 96/96A, as this means it's a different operator at night to what it is during the day! On the right path though, with the opposite happening for service 38C (though I'd assume this is more down to the fact Go North East had the cheapest bid rather than Nexus giving the tender to Go North East for the right reasons).

(09 Jun 2014, 3:50 pm)Dan wrote VOSA reveals more information about the upcoming tenders, as seen in Michael's post from the Go North East - Latest section below:


Still somewhat irritated that Go North East hasn't retained services 96/96A, as this means it's a different operator at night to what it is during the day! On the right path though, with the opposite happening for service 38C (though I'd assume this is more down to the fact Go North East had the cheapest bid rather than Nexus giving the tender to Go North East for the right reasons).

Opps thanks Dan i forgot to put them in here!

(09 Jun 2014, 3:53 pm)Michael wrote Opps thanks Dan i forgot to put them in here!

Only services 135/136 to reveal now.

Assuming there's no changes to the route/timetable, then it does perhaps suggest Go North East have retained the contract.

(09 Jun 2014, 3:56 pm)Dan wrote Only services 135/136 to reveal now.

Assuming there's no changes to the route/timetable, then it does perhaps suggest Go North East have retained the contract.

Hope they have,i would assume it would of being on by now if someone else got it?

Wonder if deptford will loose 2 solo Sr's, even if they retain the 135/136, as they could use Versas on them,they only need 2?

(09 Jun 2014, 4:08 pm)Michael wrote Hope they have,i would assume it would of being on by now if someone else got it?

Wonder if deptford will loose 2 solo Sr's, even if they retain the 135/136, as they could use Versas on them,they only need 2?

Yes, I'd imagine the Solos will see use elsewhere and interworking will be altered so that the 135/136 can run off a service which is allocated Versas (or even Streetlites, as they're light weight).

(09 Jun 2014, 4:15 pm)Dan wrote Yes, I'd imagine the Solos will see use elsewhere and interworking will be altered so that the 135/136 can run off a service which is allocated Versas (or even Streetlites, as they're light weight).

Make sure I post in the right thread this time
Where would the Solos be used?

(09 Jun 2014, 4:27 pm)Tom wrote Make sure I post in the right thread this time
Where would the Solos be used?

Answered your question even though you didn't mean to ask it!

I don't have the answer for that question. I think they have two Solo SRs spare already, so I can't see them becoming additional spares.

Does seem more likely that they will be allocated to a service.

(09 Jun 2014, 4:33 pm)Dan wrote Answered your question even though you didn't mean to ask it!

I don't have the answer for that question. I think they have two Solo SRs spare already, so I can't see them becoming additional spares.

Does seem more likely that they will be allocated to a service.

Yeah that's what I was thinking -Pointless having four spares.

(09 Jun 2014, 4:35 pm)Tom wrote Yeah that's what I was thinking -Pointless having four spares.

I guess two possible candidates are for service 27X and the NHS shuttle? The former option more feasible than the latter.

Hexham has recently seen its PVR increase by two, gaining no additional spare vehicles. Could be worth giving 'em an additional spare.

(09 Jun 2014, 4:40 pm)Dan wrote I guess two possible candidates are for service 27X and the NHS shuttle? The former option more feasible than the latter.

Hexham has recently seen its PVR increase by two, gaining no additional spare vehicles. Could be worth giving 'em an additional spare.

Yeah that's an idea - when was the PVR increased?
What about the OK Way?

(09 Jun 2014, 4:42 pm)Tom wrote Yeah that's an idea - when was the PVR increased?
What about the OK Way?

When they took on the AD122? They gained 524 for that, but did not gain an additional spare vehicle.
It then increased again not so long ago when certain AD122 journeys extended to Walltown, again, receiving no additional spare vehicles.

I really don't see the OK Way gaining the two Solos (more so due to the fact they're not due to be repainted yet more than anything), but anything could happen... There have been instances in the past where vehicles have been repainted before four to five years have elapsed.

(09 Jun 2014, 4:43 pm)Dan wrote When they took on the AD122? They gained 524 for that, but did not gain an additional spare vehicle.
It then increased again not so long ago when certain AD122 journeys extended to Walltown, again, receiving no additional spare vehicles.

I really don't see the OK Way gaining the two Solos (more so due to the fact they're not due to be repainted yet more than anything), but anything could happen... There have been instances in the past where vehicles have been repainted before four to five years have elapsed.

Oh yeah forgot about that - The 27X/40A and NHS Shuttle seems the most likely though. When is the Nexus fleet up for renewal like?

(09 Jun 2014, 4:45 pm)Tom wrote Oh yeah forgot about that - The 27X/40A and NHS Shuttle seems the most likely though. When is the Nexus fleet up for renewal like?

I don't think there's a date set in stone whereby the current Solo SRs will be relieved of their duties on Nexus work and replaced by newer Euro 6 vehicles.

If Go North East's tendered services actually generate more revenue than the North Tyne Links services (which I doubt, but who knows..?), then I'd suggest that, in 2016, the "Nexus" Solo SRs would be replaced and allocated to the North Tyne Links network instead. Incidentally, this is also when the vehicles are roughly due a repaint.

Mere speculation though - I doubt it's even been fully thought through yet. Another two year's worth of orders to get through yet!

Solos could stay at Deptford and be used on the 99 during the day then run onto 135/136. Would then mean two MPDs could go to Hexham and Peterlee (to give Hexham a spare & to replace the recently lost spare at Peterlee)

(09 Jun 2014, 4:40 pm)Dan wrote I guess two possible candidates are for service 27X and the NHS shuttle? The former option more feasible than the latter.

Hexham has recently seen its PVR increase by two, gaining no additional spare vehicles. Could be worth giving 'em an additional spare.

Do you mean the NHS Shuttle for QE P&R ? If so that finishes in October when the new centre opens.

The land will be returned to the council

(10 Jun 2014, 8:01 pm)gtom wrote Do you mean the NHS Shuttle for QE P&R ? If so that finishes in October when the new centre opens.

The land will be returned to the council

Yes, that's the one I was talking about. The use of a Solo on there would ultimately depend on if Go North East received some sort of 'funding' towards the repaint of 563.

So he is the updated list for the contracts...

37/73 Doxford Park - Coach Road - Sunderland
Mon-Sat daytime - Euro 4 - PVR 3 - Won by Gateshead Central Taxis/Compass Community Transport
38C Sunderland - Tunstall Bank
Evening & Sunday - Euro 4 - PVR 1 - Won by Go North East
88 Lukes Lane - South Shields
Mon-Sun evening - Euro 4 - PVR 4 - Won by Go North East
96/96A Metrocentre - Lobley Hill
Mon-Sun evening - Euro 4 - PVR 1 - Won by Gateshead Central Taxis
135/136 Sunderland - Hylton Circulars
Mon-Sat evening, Sunday - Euro 4 - PVR 2 -
515/558 Heworth - Hebburn/Seaburn
Mon-Sun daytime (515 not Sun) - Euro 4 - PVR 2 - Won by Gateshead Central Taxis
643 Metrocentre - Watergate Estate
Mon-Sat daytime - Euro 4 - PVR 1 - Won by Gateshead Central Taxis
size restriction due to small estate roads
R3/R4/R6 Clara Vale - Blaydon - Rowlands Gill local services
Mon-Sun all day - Euro 4 - PVR 3 - Won by Gateshead Central Taxis

Do you mean the NHS Shuttle for QE P&R ? If so that finishes in October when the new centre opens.

The land will be returned to the council

Think the building work is currently behind schedule so might not necessarily be October.

I believe the P&R is due to be in place until November 2015, as more demolition work needs to happen on the QE site to re-provide the car parking spaces currently in Moss Heaps.

(11 Jun 2014, 1:38 pm)Chris wrote Think the building work is currently behind schedule so might not necessarily be October.

I believe the P&R is due to be in place until November 2015, as more demolition work needs to happen on the QE site to re-provide the car parking spaces currently in Moss Heaps.

A friend who works at the QE has mentioned the P&R may be retained afterwards? Pure speculation like.

(11 Jun 2014, 6:14 pm)aureolin wrote A friend who works at the QE has mentioned the P&R may be retained afterwards? Pure speculation like.

Aye I've heard that one. As I understand it, the powers that be at the QE want to keep it but the Council are reluctant. They weren't too keen in the first place IIRC.

(12 Jun 2014, 12:43 pm)Chris wrote Aye I've heard that one. As I understand it, the powers that be at the QE want to keep it but the Council are reluctant. They weren't too keen in the first place IIRC.

QE Trust position is that its ending because the council want the land back. (from the project directors own mouth)

First of the August tenders have appeared on VOSA

PB1074031/4 - COMPASS COMMUNITY TRANSPORT LTD T/A COMPASS COMMUNITY TRANSPORT, UNITS 11 - 12, SANDMERE ROAD, LEECHMERE INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, SUNDERLAND, SR2 9TP
Variation Accepted: Operating between Riverside park, South Hylton and Pennywell Road, Pennywell given service number 8X effective from 04-Aug-2014. To amend Timetable.