https://www.shieldsgazette.com/business/...de-5407439

A clean-energy agreement signed on the other side of the world is set to boost jobs and economic prospects on South Tyneside for years to come.Mayor of the North East, Kim McGuinness, has signed two international agreements in Japan, bringing together the Port of Tyne’s growing role as a clean energy and low-carbon logistics hub with Hitachi’s global expertise in mobility and energy.

The agreements will boost the bus network, create new green jobs, and accelerate the North East’s green transition.

Signed today in Tokyo, the agreements underscore the growing partnerships between the parties and their commitment to innovation, decarbonization, and job creation.

The first agreement will see Hitachi support the transformation of public transport in the North East, including a plan to reduce emissions of every local bus in the region to zero within a decade.

Bus passengers across the North East will benefit from Hitachi’s global expertise in advanced technology and charging solutions for zero-emission fleets.

With the North East recognised as the UK’s first AI Growth Zone, this strategic partnership will also explore how AI can enhance digital monitoring of transport vehicles and infrastructure across the region.

A second green jobs agreement will see Hitachi work with the North East Combined Authority and Port of Tyne to develop the ‘Smart Port of the Future’ through a dedicated clean e-fuels hub.

Together, they will assess the viability of on-site production and use of e-fuels to help decarbonise maritime transport and boost the regional economy.

The partners will also collaborate on innovation, digital transformation, clean energy infrastructure and skills development.

The cornerstone of the agreement between the North East Combined Authority, Port of Tyne and Hitachi is a shared commitment to sustainable transport and clean energy.

North East Mayor, Kim McGuinness, said: “Japan’s investment in North East England continues and I’m pleased to be meeting the senior leadership team of Hitachi Ltd. and signing two new agreements which will see Hitachi back our plans to transform buses in the North East and boost our clean energy sector.

“We know the Hitachi team well and continue to support the team at the factory in Newton Aycliffe.

“These new agreements will see us work even more closely in the future, so that our region can tap into global best practice and learn from other projects and systems to create a truly world-class transport system which puts the needs of passengers first.

“Hitachi’s leadership in sustainable mobility and green energy will be invaluable as we deliver on our vision for a cleaner, fairer transport system.

“We have big plans for our region’s public transport and I’m determined to transform our transport, bringing buses back into public control and upgrading buses across the region so passengers will be able to see a fully electric fleet within a decade.

Matt Beeton, CEO of the Port of Tyne welcomed the Memorandums of Understanding as the first step in creating a new clean e-fuels site, saying: “Today’s agreement strengthens Port of Tyne’s position as a leader in low-carbon logistics, combining Hitachi’s global expertise with our ambition for a world-class hub for passengers and freight.

“It is a decisive step towards creating the UK’s first zero-emissions port, powered by smart technology and green innovation, driving new investment and sustainable growth for the region.”

Andrew Barr, President of Hitachi Europe Ltd, said: “Across Europe and around the world, we’re using our strengths in sustainable mobility and clean energy to help cities and regions tackle their biggest challenges — from decarbonising transport to creating the green jobs of the future.

“Working closely with forward-thinking local governments like the North East Mayoral Combined Authority allows us to combine global expertise with local ambition.

“Public-private partnership and knowledge sharing is how we believe devolution will deliver tangible benefits in the region, while also taking a regional approach to Industrial Strategy."

“To make this a reality, we need to work closely with partners like Hitachi to ensure we learn what has worked well elsewhere in the world and how we might take advantage of the tech in the North East.

“We’re also looking at a new e-fuels hub at Port of Tyne, which will help to reduce carbon emissions massively.

“The North East is the home of the green energy revolution and I’m delighted to be working closely with Hitachi and Port of Tyne to drive further growth in the clean energy sector, which could create up to 200 new jobs in our region.”

Hi All, 

I am new here my name is Peter for some reason I put T instead of R in my username opps. I thought this may be the place to ask if anybody has any surviving photos of Arriva Northumbria V724 DNL when it was in it's shortish lived blue livery the Manor Walks Shopping Centre one? After spening years looking on the internet for a picture of it in said livery to no avail I seen some pictures here from bygone days and wondered if it may be worth asking other's to note would be the earlier NMS special liveries and 1701 in it's Tesco express livery though there is a few of that about you never know unless you ask other's of note would be 1702 in it's Go Wansbeck wrap and the Red and Blue Pennine livery that 372 carried?. Other's such as 855 in the blue livery and hugo the hippo and who could forget Seaside Sammy! 

Thanks for taking time to read this if anybody could help would be amazing! 

Regardsm Pete.

Branching this out of the Stockton Depot thread where the orders are being discussed, but just a few comments on the vehicle allocations in Northumbria which are increasingly inappropriate. 

I was walking towards Barras Bridge tonight for my bus home and saw a few Arriva services leaving Haymarket. 

The 1610 308 was operated by 1495, and to be honest I don't think I've ever seen as many people standing on a Pulsar. The 15:45 and 16:00 308/306 also ran, so it isn't as though this was taking multiple loads. People were stood up to the seating right at the back, with a huge clump crowding the tip down seats up to the cab. 

The 1615 X22 was ran by 7563 and had pretty much a full load, with a couple standing downstairs, from what I could see. Looked to be a few seats free, but the loading it had would have been too much for a Pulsar I'd think. Again, the 16:00 X21 and 15:45 X22 ran. This run is booked for a Pulsar, and majority of times I have seen it operated by one has had a standing load. 

The Coast Road services at this time seem particularly susceptible to leaving Newcastle with full and standing Pulsars, yet nothing is being done about this. Similarly the main Ashington (X21/22) and Blyth (X10/11) express services are always standing loads if allocated a saloon. The Morpeth express services are always decker operated bar the X16 when I see them, and the X7/8/9 are always fully seated if a Pulsar but not standing. The X30 leaving town around this time, however, seems to always be a decker yet realistically a Solo could probably lift the amount of people using it. 

There have also been a few times recently where I've been waiting at Regent Centre at similar times and have been unable to board 43/44/45s due to them being Pulsar operated and bus full already. Even when they've dropped off there, the driver has evidently decided it's been unwise to take any more on. 

As much as I am sure lots of these services mentioned can cope with saloons during the day, they quite clearly cannot cope with them in the peaks. I do get that operating double deckers during the day on services with 20-30 people on is a bit of a waste, but then surely annoying your regular commuters by cramming them onto a Pulsar every night cannot help business long term?

Stagecoach plans to upgrade old Stockton bus depot - BBC News https://share.google/XjJft2kTyNXGTmcba

Hi everyone,

I’ve recently moved to Newcastle from the North West, and I’ve been quite surprised by how public transport information is presented and communicated here.

Back in Greater Manchester, even before the Bee Network launched, Transport for Greater Manchester ensured that every bus stop had clear, high-quality timetables. You could (and still) pick up printed timetable leaflets for every route from local travel centres - simple, accessible, and very user-friendly.

Neighbouring authorities like Lancashire County Council and Blackburn & Darwen Borough Council follow a similar approach, and it certainly helps that they allow operators like Transdev to produce their own high quality publicity and materials.

So I’m wondering: why isn’t this the case in the North East?

From what I understand, Nexus is meant to promote and coordinate public transport in Tyne and Wear, but they don’t seem to be doing that effectively. If a small borough council like Blackburn can maintain good-quality passenger information, why can’t a large body like Nexus?

At the roadside, information seems minimal and often poorly formatted, with no real effort made to present data clearly or consistently. Printed materials are almost non-existent, even though I realise this is technically up to the operators. Still, the absence of even a basic network map not even a PDF version online is quite disappointing.

It makes me wonder how new or occasional users are supposed to get to grips with the local transport network at all - as its actually decent if you know what you are looking for. 

Frankly, apart from Strathclyde Partnership for Transport, Nexus seem among the weakest in the UK when it comes to publicity and passenger information.

Appreciate there is bus reform on the horizon, but that is years off

1500 has now returned to Blyth following repaint, looking much smarter.
I understand 1501 has now gone in its place so will be next to be done.

The Northern Group Enthusiast Club are running an outing for their 60th anniversary - Saturday 8th November

"To celebrate the 60th Anniversary, we’ve teamed up with our friends at Northstar for a 60th Anniversary route recreation day!

Details are below! PREBOOKING MANDATORY

Members, your form will be through via email. If you have not provided one or know those who struggle with the page, ask them to contact the Chairman from details on his previous letter. Non Members welcome, please contact the page, details below!"

You can contact them through their page at: https://www.facebook.com/share/1BCAfdz2Nk/

36972 is at sheilds exchange for 10631

1500 has gone for repaint, it was last seen at Blackburn Bus & Coach 

https://flic.kr/p/2rxsa7S

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1664vRctUa/

They're needing a new home.