Just drove past the bus link mentioned in the thread title and it looks complete now. Traffic lights are now active for it, still coned off for buses. But hopefully sees use soon after taking how my years to build it.

Go-Ahead Group sets out a new business strategy, “The Next Billion Journeys”: https://newsroom.go-ahead.com/news/the-g...n-journeys

There's more detail in the web link above, but:

The Next Billion Journeys

Our strategy, The Next Billion Journeys, will focus on three strategic objectives:

• Improve the performance of the underlying business
  
• Grow organically and externally
  
• Progress new opportunities
  

To achieve, these objectives, Go-Ahead’s management team will prioritise five enablers:

1. Strengthening governance and transparency
   
2. Improving digital and data capabilities
   
3. Consolidating Zero Emission capabilities
   
4. Rebuilding post-Covid confidence with passengers and clients
   
5. Enhancing people engagement and collaboration
   

One of the points I noted: "Emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic, Go-Ahead will implement initiatives to accelerate passenger recovery – including leveraging data to analyse new travel patterns and to tailor routes, schedules and ticketing to match passenger needs, plus marketing initiatives to rebuild confidence in public transport."

Now that could be read as something that is much needed, and really needs to happen to improve transport early morning and evening for commuters, but on the other hand it could be further eradication of anything that doesn't make a profit, similar to what has happened recently in North Tyneside. It'll be interesting to see how this one plays out, and exactly how it fits into the new world of 'partnership'

Wasn't sure where to put this as the Rural Link Northumberland thread didn't seem appropriate.

Rural Link are seemingly growing their operations in Bishop Auckland beyond the 104, having been awarded the contract for new service 87 from Bishop Auckland to Toft Hill replacing Arriva's service 86 (see timetable attached). The 87 is virtually identical to the previous Arriva and GNE operation. Rural Link have been awarded the contract through to October 2026.

I know it is pretty early on in the year for this but does anyone know if Stagecoach are planning on using the open top buses at Sunderland depot on the E routes again this year?

I really enjoyed riding them last summer on these routes but all of them (maybe except 17240) had really bad reliability and they are ageing so I wondered if these buses are still around to be used this year?

Don't think we have a thread anywhere for this, but Tees Valley CA have been awarded £310m over 5 years under the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlements (CRSTS) scheme: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk...l-2022.pdf

Their list of projects is online here: https://teesvalley-ca.gov.uk/tees-valley...port-fund/

Any idea why 5401 has been painted,pink at the front and purple at the back,after where the road stripes would go?
at saltmeadows today

Out yesterday. I have noticed Stagecoach have changed some of the blinds on there buses

First one I saw was the 36 to Fenham in big letters with Via RVI in between Fenham & 36

Second one was the X78 destination blind was really small. Seems to be on the E200MMC only but could just be the selected few

The photo of the 36 blind I took yesterday didn't come out perfectly but you can see what I mean by the change of blind

After 3 years at Seaburn. The festival of transport now moves to a new location 

The new location is now at Durham County Hall and will be held on the 20th & 21st of August

Here's a debate. Clearly arguments for and against both.

Should GNE retain branding as now? Or go down the following route:

- TyneTeesXpress (X10)
- XLines Generic - All applicable main 'X' routes
- GNE Electric (basically below but adapted for EV's)
- GNE Silver Service (but not called that) key 'Non X' routes
- GNE Corporate - For all other routes including secondary routes & minibus routes

Meant to post at the weekend, but there were reports of a bus fire on Saturday evening in the Grangetown area of Sunderland. Looking at bus times, it seems Citaro 5289 whilst operating the 61 never made it to Sunderland Interchange, just after 19:30 that night. 

It seems likely that 5289 was involved? Wonder if there’s much damage…

https://twitter.com/gonortheast/status/1...Pf0t0wk55w


https://bustimes.org/vehicles/64007?date=2022-03-26#