(01 Apr 2015, 9:54 am)Michael wrote Will the 238/239 be replacing the 38C to on a night and Sunday??
Be interesting to see what they're gonna use on the 238/239...

238/239 on a night is
238 Barnwell - Hall Lane (1822, 1922, 2022)
239 Barnwell - Fencehouses (2122, 2222, 2322)
Sunday is hourly 238 1022-1822 then 239 from 1922-2322

(03 Apr 2015, 2:49 pm)tyresmoke wrote 238/239 on a night is
238 Barnwell - Hall Lane (1822, 1922, 2022)
239 Barnwell - Fencehouses (2122, 2222, 2322)
Sunday is hourly 238 1022-1822 then 239 from 1922-2322

Thanks Tyre, How is thr route working during the day?

Just Sunderland to Hall Lane as the 238?

(03 Apr 2015, 2:56 pm)Michael wrote Thanks Tyre, How is thr route working during the day?

Just Sunderland to Hall Lane as the 238?

Don't know that'll be commercial operation by GNE so they're obviously making changes to that at the same time.

(03 Apr 2015, 3:29 pm)tyresmoke wrote Don't know that'll be commercial operation by GNE so they're obviously making changes to that at the same time.

No probs, thanks

Worth mentioning that a number of Nexus resource boards are up for tender from September 2015, currently 34 boards run by 8 different operators.

Also to start on 26th July is the tender for evening service 10/11 in South Tyneside, spec is L3604 and PVR 2. Currently run by Stagecoach

I emailed NEXUS about the 238/239.. my reply...

Good morning Mr Webster,

Thank you for your email. From the 31st May 2015 the Go North East 238/239 will operate the service between Hall Lane Estate and Barnwell on a commercial basis on a Monday – Saturday daytime, with Nexus securing the evening and Sunday service, as well as a couple of early morning trips.

The route will be altered in Hall Lane Estate and some trips will also serve South Street in Newbottle.

Information will be available on the Nexus website nearer the date of the change of service.

Regards

*************************

Iv'e emailed back and asked if the 238 route will continue to Sunderland, as this is confusing for the passengers in Hall Estate by having 2 bus numbers the same. 

(10 Apr 2015, 10:53 am)Michael wrote I emailed NEXUS about the 238/239.. my reply...

Good morning Mr Webster,

Thank you for your email. From the 31st May 2015 the Go North East 238/239 will operate the service between Hall Lane Estate and Barnwell on a commercial basis on a Monday – Saturday daytime, with Nexus securing the evening and Sunday service, as well as a couple of early morning trips.

The route will be altered in Hall Lane Estate and some trips will also serve South Street in Newbottle.

Information will be available on the Nexus website nearer the date of the change of service.

Regards

*************************

Iv'e emailed back and asked if the 238 route will continue to Sunderland, as this is confusing for the passengers in Hall Estate by having 2 bus numbers the same. 

The Newbottle extension is an interesting one.
A lot of people have been complaining about the lack of a bus for a long time.

The plans put forward by the council to block off Stoneygate junction is causing consternation too - as this will remove the possibility of a through route, completely. 

(10 Apr 2015, 11:10 am)Andreos1 wrote The Newbottle extension is an interesting one.
A lot of people have been complaining about the lack of a bus for a long time.

The plans put forward by the council to block off Stoneygate junction is causing consternation too - as this will remove the possibility of a through route, completely. 

It is, didn't expect the Newbottle extension, "some trips will also serve South Street in Newbottle".... wonder how often this will be, as the current 79 only runs hourly.. 

(10 Apr 2015, 11:14 am)Michael wrote It is, didn't expect the Newbottle extension, "some trips will also serve South Street in Newbottle".... wonder how often this will be, as the current 79 only runs hourly.. 

Not sure.

Imagine it will be a quick loop of Newbottle, before continuing on the existing route.

Possibly morning/afternoon peaks? Pensioners, school kids etc

I think the alteration around Hall Lane, will tie in with the 238 coming through there to/from Seaham.

(10 Apr 2015, 11:17 am)Andreos1 wrote Not sure.

Imagine it will be a quick loop of Newbottle, before continuing on the existing route.

Possibly morning/afternoon peaks? Pensioners, school kids etc

I think the alteration around Hall Lane, will tie in with the 238 coming through there to/from Seaham.

Hopefully, looks like they may class it as one full route. 

(10 Apr 2015, 10:53 am)Michael wrote I emailed NEXUS about the 238/239.. my reply...

Good morning Mr Webster,

Thank you for your email. From the 31st May 2015 the Go North East 238/239 will operate the service between Hall Lane Estate and Barnwell on a commercial basis on a Monday – Saturday daytime, with Nexus securing the evening and Sunday service, as well as a couple of early morning trips.

The route will be altered in Hall Lane Estate and some trips will also serve South Street in Newbottle.

Information will be available on the Nexus website nearer the date of the change of service.

Regards

*************************

Iv'e emailed back and asked if the 238 route will continue to Sunderland, as this is confusing for the passengers in Hall Estate by having 2 bus numbers the same. 

Got an email back - 

Good afternoon,

 
The current 238 service between Sunderland and Houghton is being extended to incorporate the service through to Barnwell, so no there will not be two 238 services. I hope that clarifies this for you.

-----------------------

It also looks like anything will be used during the day as it looks like the PVR will be 3 for Monday- Saturday day times - going by current routes and timings, as not sure how often it will go along South Street in Newbottle. - MPD's during the day? or Nexus Solo SR's with one being moved to Deptford, although this seems very unlikely........


Sundays - Not sure on route atm, will be Sunderland - then 238 Barnwell - Hall Lane (1822, 1922, 2022)

239 Barnwell - Fencehouses (2122, 2222, 2322)


 - Nexus Solo SR/s with Deptford running it?

(10 Apr 2015, 1:03 pm)Michael wrote Got an email back - 

Good afternoon,

 
The current 238 service between Sunderland and Houghton is being extended to incorporate the service through to Barnwell, so no there will not be two 238 services. I hope that clarifies this for you.

-----------------------

It also looks like anything will be used during the day as it looks like the PVR will be 3 for Monday- Saturday day times - going by current routes and timings, as not sure how often it will go along South Street in Newbottle. - MPD's during the day? or Nexus Solo SR's with one being moved to Deptford, although this seems very unlikely........


Sundays - Not sure on route atm, will be Sunderland - then 238 Barnwell - Hall Lane (1822, 1922, 2022)

239 Barnwell - Fencehouses (2122, 2222, 2322)


 - Nexus Solo SR/s with Deptford running it?

OK ran some single deckers through the hole in the wall and back roads at Penshaw, but don't think they were full size.
It will be a smaller vehicle doing the route.

(10 Apr 2015, 5:37 pm)Andreos1 wrote OK ran some single deckers through the hole in the wall and back roads at Penshaw,  but don't think they were full size.
It will be a smaller vehicle doing the route.

If it was to use Solo SR's then Deptford would need one more, as they can't use the spare Sunderland Connect as its normally allocated to the 37/701, not sure if there are any spare NEXUS solo Sr's?

Any chance of Stagecoach Sunderland running the 8X on a night instead of Compass in the future?

Contract is due for re-newel on 25/07/2015 

(16 Apr 2015, 9:54 am)Michael wrote Any chance of Stagecoach Sunderland running the 8X on a night instead of Compass in the future?

Contract is due for re-newel on 25/07/2015 

Would be impossible to put a bid in that could beat any operator that has drivers on just over minimum wage and vehicles that return a MPG that minibuses do.

(16 Apr 2015, 4:32 pm)roar wrote Would be impossible to put a bid in that could beat any operator that has drivers on just over minimum wage and vehicles that return a MPG that minibuses do.

Go North East was awarded with the tender for services 238/239 (replacing current 79/79A operated by Compass Community Transport under tender).

The big boys often go for non-conforming bids that represent better value to the tenderer than the fully conforming bids of the smaller operators.

Are there any tenders for T&W/Durham coming up?

(15 May 2015, 3:56 pm)Tom wrote Are there any tenders for T&W/Durham coming up?

There is currently a Nexus tender for the annual "Mouth of the Tyne Festival" Park & Ride service on Saturday 11th July and Sunday 12th July 2015. The specification for this tender is a low-floor Euro 4 vehicle with a minimum capacity of 44 passengers.

(16 May 2015, 6:28 pm)Dan wrote There is currently a Nexus tender for the annual "Mouth of the Tyne Festival" Park & Ride service on Saturday 11th July and Sunday 12th July 2015. The specification for this tender is a low-floor Euro 4 vehicle with a minimum capacity of 44 passengers.

Thanks - GNE usually operate that. 

(15 May 2015, 3:56 pm)Tom wrote Are there any tenders for T&W/Durham coming up?

Don't think there is anything for Durham although I may be wrong.

Think most of the tendered services in Country Durham are up for renewal next year, June or July I think?

Are the following services up for tender? Or just changing?

7 - Spennymoor-Kirk Merrington-Shildon
35A - Ferryhill-Spennymoor-Bishop Auckland (evening)
83 - Cockfield-Butterknowle-Barnard Castle
84 - Watergate Estate-Stanley (Crook)
101 - Cowshill-Stanhope-Crook-Bishop Auckland
104 - Newfield-Bishop Auckand-Woodhouse Lane
109 - Oakenshaw-Bishop Auckland
110/111/115 - Spennymoor Local Services

Any one know when the tender for the 8x is up for renewal currently operated by compass community transport

(18 May 2015, 4:19 pm)whitebus wrote Any one know when the tender for the 8x is up for renewal currently operated by compass community transport

The contract for the 8X service commenced 29/05/2011 and is due to expire 25/07/2015, but Nexus has not yet invited any other operator to tender for the new contract, which means that the service will either be withdrawn due to low usage or the current contract will be extended.

(18 May 2015, 4:10 pm)Tom wrote Are the following services up for tender? Or just changing?

7 - Spennymoor-Kirk Merrington-Shildon
35A - Ferryhill-Spennymoor-Bishop Auckland (evening)
83 - Cockfield-Butterknowle-Barnard Castle
84 - Watergate Estate-Stanley (Crook)
101 - Cowshill-Stanhope-Crook-Bishop Auckland
104 - Newfield-Bishop Auckand-Woodhouse Lane
109 - Oakenshaw-Bishop Auckland
110/111/115 - Spennymoor Local Services

They were all tendered in 2012 until 30th July 2016

(18 May 2015, 7:11 pm)tyresmoke wrote They were all tendered in 2012 until 30th July 2016

Ah okay they must be changing then as it says on the Connect Tees Valley website ''until 31/07/2015''.

(16 May 2015, 6:28 pm)Dan wrote There is currently a Nexus tender for the annual "Mouth of the Tyne Festival" Park & Ride service on Saturday 11th July and Sunday 12th July 2015. The specification for this tender is a low-floor Euro 4 vehicle with a minimum capacity of 44 passengers.

(16 May 2015, 6:37 pm)Tom wrote Thanks - GNE usually operate that. 

Go North East has retained the "Mouth of the Tyne Festival" Park & Ride contract for 2015. Like last year, I'd imagine that Percy Main will operate this service with a "North Tyne Links" branded MPD.

In other news; South Tyneside Council has requested that Nexus procures a shuttle service to connect The Lawe Top and Lawe Road with the Nexus-secured 516 service (operated by Go North East) at South Shields Town Centre, due to an upcoming road closure of Ocean Road, South Shields, which will see local bus services undertake significant diversions away from the area for four days (currently from Monday 13th July 2015 to and including Thursday 16th July 2015). The shuttle service will have a PVR of 1, and will take the form of a 'taxi bus' service, with a minimum capacity of 1x wheelchair and 4x seated passengers and a maximum capacity of 18x passengers.

Today, Nexus also invited bus operators to tender for the secured evening 53 service (North Shields - Cramlington), currently operated by Arriva North East. The new contract will commence from 06/09/2015 and last for one year. The contract stipulates the use of a Euro 4 vehicle with a minimum capacity of 36.

(29 May 2015, 7:37 pm)Dan wrote Go North East has retained the "Mouth of the Tyne Festival" Park & Ride contract for 2015. Like last year, I'd imagine that Percy Main will operate this service with a "North Tyne Links" branded MPD.

Where does the Mouth of the Tyne Festival's Park & Ride run from Dan? I didn't even know it existed last year.

(29 May 2015, 7:40 pm)aureolin wrote Where does the Mouth of the Tyne Festival's Park & Ride run from Dan? I didn't even know it existed last year.

The service operates from Tynemouth Village to Beaconsfield, running via Grand Parade, Beverley Terrace, Marden Avenue, Mast Lane, The Broadway, Beach Road, Grand Parade, Percy Park Road, Tynemouth Road, Upper Norfolk Street, Northumberland Square, Church Way, Albion Rd, Tynemouth Rd, Percy Park Road, and Grand Parade.

I photographed the service last year outside of the Bluereef Aquarium:
Go North East: 562 / NK53TLY by Daniel Graham, on Flickr

(29 May 2015, 7:37 pm)Dan wrote Go North East has retained the "Mouth of the Tyne Festival" Park & Ride contract for 2015. Like last year, I'd imagine that Percy Main will operate this service with a "North Tyne Links" branded MPD.

In other news; South Tyneside Council has requested that Nexus procures a shuttle service to connect The Lawe Top and Lawe Road with the Nexus-secured 516 service (operated by Go North East) at South Shields Town Centre, due to an upcoming road closure of Ocean Road, South Shields, which will see local bus services undertake significant diversions away from the area for four days (currently from Monday 13th July 2015 to and including Thursday 16th July 2015). The shuttle service will have a PVR of 1, and will take the form of a 'taxi bus' service, with a minimum capacity of 1x wheelchair and 4x seated passengers and a maximum capacity of 18x passengers.

Today, Nexus also invited bus operators to tender for the secured evening 53 service (North Shields - Cramlington), currently operated by Arriva North East. The new contract will commence from 06/09/2015 and last for one year. The contract stipulates the use of a Euro 4 vehicle with a minimum capacity of 36.

What would then happen to the 43 / 52 as the 46 / 43 / 52 / 53 inter-work on evenings and Sundays.

(29 May 2015, 8:52 pm)DaveyBowyer wrote What would then happen to the 43 / 52 as the 46 / 43 / 52 / 53 inter-work on evenings and Sundays.

The interworking patterns would change. Simple as.