PB1099280/18 - CENTRAL TAXIS GATESHEAD LTD, 53 - 55 HIGH STREET, FELLING, GATESHEAD, NE10 9LU
Cancellation Accepted by SN: Operating between METROCENTRE INTERCHANGE and GATESHEAD given service number 96 effective from 27-Jul-2014.

Haven't they just won the contract?

(17 Jun 2014, 6:32 pm)Michael wrote PB1099280/18 - CENTRAL TAXIS GATESHEAD LTD, 53 - 55 HIGH STREET, FELLING, GATESHEAD, NE10 9LU
Cancellation Accepted by SN: Operating between METROCENTRE INTERCHANGE and GATESHEAD given service number 96 effective from 27-Jul-2014.

Haven't they just won the contract?

Would usually mean that the operator who won the contract previously (Go North East in this instance) have decided to operate it commercially.

(17 Jun 2014, 6:39 pm)Dan wrote Would usually mean that the operator who won the contract previously (Go North East in this instance) have decided to operate it commercially.

Oh right, was gonna say that was quick haha

Least its staying all as GNE.

Also looks like they are keeping the 135/136.

Wonder why stagecoach didn't go for the 8X

(17 Jun 2014, 6:42 pm)Michael wrote Oh right, was gonna say that was quick haha

Least its staying all as GNE.

Also looks like they are keeping the 135/136.

Wonder why stagecoach didn't go for the 8X

Flip side of the coin is that GCT have realised they can't take on so much work, and it's gone to another bidder instead (most likely GNE).

I don't think service 8X was up for tender in this round, which is probably why it has stayed with CCT.

(17 Jun 2014, 6:45 pm)Dan wrote Flip side of the coin is that GCT have realised they can't take on so much work, and it's gone to another bidder instead (most likely GNE).

I don't think service 8X was up for tender in this round, which is probably why it has stayed with CCT.

Im sure i seen a post for the 8X that compass had it again.. ill go back cause known me i havent haha

Edit: the 8X has being awarded from August, the post for it is on the compass page.

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

135/136 Sunderland - Hylton Circulars
Mon-Sat evening, Sunday - Euro 4 - PVR 2 - Looks like GNE, nothing being on VOSA as of yet.

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

(18 Jun 2014, 5:26 pm)Michael wrote 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 Go North East
135/136 Sunderland - Hylton Circulars
Mon-Sat evening, Sunday - Euro 4 - PVR 2 - Looks like GNE, nothing being on VOSA as of yet.
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

Have we confirmation they've won the tender for the 96/96a? If it's commercial it should probably come off the list or be marked as commercial

Redcar & Cleveland Council are/have put out a tender with regard to reviewing their supported transport services.

How long the review lasts for is another thing.

(19 Jun 2014, 5:29 am)Andreos Constantopolous wrote Redcar & Cleveland Council are/have put out a tender with regard to reviewing their supported transport services.

How long the review lasts for is another thing.

In other words the key objective will be to cut. Or do what Durham done, and tell folk that it'd be transport or other services such as care homes, then just close the care homes anyway.

(18 Jun 2014, 10:09 pm)aureolin wrote Have we confirmation they've won the tender for the 96/96a? If it's commercial it should probably come off the list or be marked as commercial

I'm not sure, i just seen the cancelation on VOSA from Gateshead Taxi's.

I'll re-edit the post and take it off, as it looks your right about it being commercial.

(19 Jun 2014, 8:24 am)aureolin wrote In other words the key objective will be to cut. Or do what Durham done, and tell folk that it'd be transport or other services such as care homes, then just close the care homes anyway.

Spend money to save money eh?

(19 Jun 2014, 8:27 am)Michael wrote I'm not sure, i just seen the cancelation on VOSA from Gateshead Taxi's.

I'll re-edit the post and take it off, as it looks your right about it being commercial.

Genuinely is one of my bug bears - if they can afford to run it commercially now without financial subsidy, why haven't they been able to run it in the past without it?

I predicted on here when GCT won the contract, there would be a twist in the tail.
It appears there has been...

(19 Jun 2014, 11:16 am)Andreos Constantopolous wrote Genuinely is one of my bug bears - if they can afford to run it commercially now without financial subsidy, why haven't they been able to run it in the past without it?

I predicted on here when GCT won the contract, there would be a twist in the tail.
It appears there has been...

Well they must have originally decided not to run the evening buses without financial support, so nexus tendered it but now they clearly want the services to have GNE evening service, like now they've won the 29/38. Is annoying that nexus have been paying for it though but now GNE can suddenly afford it!

Does anybody know when the evening service 39 up for tender next?, maybe GNE might take it on commercially if their don't win the bid against Stagecoach, these days DCC and Nexus are getting more in favour to give the secured contracts to Independants rather than the big 3 bus companies.

(19 Jun 2014, 1:32 pm)cbma06 wrote Does anybody know when the evening service 39 up for tender next?, maybe GNE might take it on commercially if their don't win the bid against Stagecoach, these days DCC and Nexus are getting more in favour to give the secured contracts to Independants rather than the big 3 bus companies.

It's not necessarily independents being in favour of Nexus it's more to do with them offering a cheaper price to do the work, this is the whole point of the tendering process in the first place I guess!
I think people will start to see some interesting results with councils and PTEs having the purse strings tightened somewhat... This has started to be shown already with GCT winning what work they have, and I have heard rumours of them winning some of the school contracts but not had any confirmation yet

(19 Jun 2014, 5:29 am)Andreos Constantopolous wrote Redcar & Cleveland Council are/have put out a tender with regard to reviewing their supported transport services.

How long the review lasts for is another thing.

Any links or extra information you can give?

(19 Jun 2014, 4:04 pm)peter wrote Any links or extra information you can give?

I don't - sorry.
Deleted the email.

If it is going out on NEPO (if it hasn't already), you may be able to see details on there.

(19 Jun 2014, 12:27 pm)Drifter60 wrote Well they must have originally decided not to run the evening buses without financial support, so nexus tendered it but now they clearly want the services to have GNE evening service, like now they've won the 29/38. Is annoying that nexus have been paying for it though but now GNE can suddenly afford it!

It comes back to maintaining profit margins. If the service was making a loss they wouldn't operate it commercially, and would just let Nexus get on with it. But because they have the usage statistics from operating it themselves, they'll know exactly how much it makes. It may not be in line with the group's financial targets, but perhaps does a bit more than break even. It doesn't exactly strengthen their arguments against QCS...

(19 Jun 2014, 2:03 pm)tyresmoke wrote It's not necessarily independents being in favour of Nexus it's more to do with them offering a cheaper price to do the work, this is the whole point of the tendering process in the first place I guess!
I think people will start to see some interesting results with councils and PTEs having the purse strings tightened somewhat... This has started to be shown already with GCT winning what work they have, and I have heard rumours of them winning some of the school contracts but not had any confirmation yet

I personally think it'll go the other way, and the big boys will start to review their low cost operating models, with a view of making them more efficient. This will enable them to place even lower cost bids. The last thing they want is another operator getting a footing in the market through a load of PTE contracts.

Any idea when the GNE 39 contract is up for grabs (Pennywell - Doxford Park) for the evenings, be interesting to see if GNE want it back but will SC offer gas buses on it?

Just came across this re Northumberland contracts

http://www.tritlingtonandwestchevington-...er1402.pdf

Service 30 is being operated by a different company after Saturday 5th July due to changes with the contract with Northumberland County Council. Any idea who will operate it?

(06 Jul 2014, 7:00 pm)Tom wrote Service 30 is being operated by a different company after Saturday 5th July due to changes with the contract with Northumberland County Council. Any idea who will operate it?

Phoenix Taxis. See here: http://www.northumberland.gov.uk/default.aspx?page=3972

(06 Jul 2014, 8:51 pm)peter wrote Phoenix Taxis. See here: http://www.northumberland.gov.uk/default.aspx?page=3972

Wonder what they will use.

Have we heard anything more on the Northumberland tenders?

From the 28th July Nexus are making changes to the 37/73:

The 37 bus will, from 28 July, be extended from Washington Galleries to serve Biddick, Teal Farm, Waterview Park, Sulgrave and Concord, including Coach Road.

This means the 37 will provide a new direct route to major employment sites at Waterview Park, and Doxford International for people living in south Sunderland, Herrington, Shiney Row and north Washington.

The 73 will provide a more direct hourly link from Teal Farm to Sunderland city centre, as well as bringing back a popular morning commuter journey from Coach Road and Concord to the city.

The bus will no longer serve Biddick or Galleries, with the 37 taking over these journeys on its new route.

Link: http://www.nexus.org.uk/news/item/better...washington

(17 Jul 2014, 3:56 pm)peter wrote From the 28th July Nexus are making changes to the 37/73:


Link: http://www.nexus.org.uk/news/item/better...washington

That's how it should of being for the 37 from the start, shame they haven't kept the 73 going to the galleries to

(17 Jul 2014, 4:02 pm)Michael wrote That's how it should of being for the 37 from the start, shame they haven't kept the 73 going to the galleries to

Why when the 37 has replaced it.

(17 Jul 2014, 8:00 pm)NEBCD Malarkey wrote Why when the 37 has replaced it.

Just to keep the link from Castletown etc.

I agree with the comment Michael made about services 37 and 73. The route of service 73 was an absolute mess between Waterview Park and The Galleries. The extension of service 37 from The Galleries to Concord via Biddick and Teal Farm rectifies previous mistakes and provides the same level of service with the added bonus of providing new links between Doxford Park and areas lying to the north and east of Washington.

Service 73 doesn't really need to go to the Galleries though. Connections can still be made at Concord which is just as accessible, by bus, from most parts of Washington although I accept travelling there may take slightly longer.

Current Nexus contract list (as of 27th July 2014) is attached to this post.