(08 Jan 2013, 7:52 pm)Brandon wrote I couldn't believe my eyes when I read that £9 bit! :s

A replacement bus service was operating between South Gosforth, Longbenton and Four Lane Ends this afternoon, which continued into the early evening peak-time period.

I only saw one of the replacement buses; it was a rather good-looking, modern TGM vehicle! I don't know the reg or make but I've seen this bus a few times at Four Lane Ends on a morning where it sometimes operates the Scholars 115 which it shares with Arriva. Kind of looks like an Optare double-decker like an Olympus or something.

First time in over three weeks I decided to catch the 55 instead of the Metro, and then I miss the chance of travelling on that beast of a vehicle; gutted isn't the word! On Facebook, Tyne and Wear Metro claim that there were six buses operating despite someone claiming to have only seen one, and then say that buses should be running at a 15 minute frequency. I wouldn't have thought South Gosforth - Longbenton - Four Lane Ends would require as great as six buses to run at a 15 minute frequency!

Anyway, news article here - http://tyneandwear.sky.com/news/article/52174

(08 Jan 2013, 7:52 pm)Brandon wrote I couldn't believe my eyes when I read that £9 bit! :s

A replacement bus service was operating between South Gosforth, Longbenton and Four Lane Ends this afternoon, which continued into the early evening peak-time period.

I only saw one of the replacement buses; it was a rather good-looking, modern TGM vehicle! I don't know the reg or make but I've seen this bus a few times at Four Lane Ends on a morning where it sometimes operates the Scholars 115 which it shares with Arriva. Kind of looks like an Optare double-decker like an Olympus or something.

First time in over three weeks I decided to catch the 55 instead of the Metro, and then I miss the chance of travelling on that beast of a vehicle; gutted isn't the word! On Facebook, Tyne and Wear Metro claim that there were six buses operating despite someone claiming to have only seen one, and then say that buses should be running at a 15 minute frequency. I wouldn't have thought South Gosforth - Longbenton - Four Lane Ends would require as great as six buses to run at a 15 minute frequency!

Anyway, news article here - http://tyneandwear.sky.com/news/article/52174

edit - looks like the replacement bus service is operating all the way to Shiremoor! - http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/north-east-news/evening-chronicle-news/2013/01/08/delays-on-tyne-and-wear-metro-as-power-line-brought-down-72703-32567411/#ixzz2HOlE1P7F

(08 Jan 2013, 7:59 pm)tyresmoke wrote

(08 Jan 2013, 7:52 pm)Brandon wrote I couldn't believe my eyes when I read that £9 bit! :s

A replacement bus service was operating between South Gosforth, Longbenton and Four Lane Ends this afternoon, which continued into the early evening peak-time period.

I only saw one of the replacement buses; it was a rather good-looking, modern TGM vehicle! I don't know the reg or make but I've seen this bus a few times at Four Lane Ends on a morning where it sometimes operates the Scholars 115 which it shares with Arriva. Kind of looks like an Optare double-decker like an Olympus or something.

First time in over three weeks I decided to catch the 55 instead of the Metro, and then I miss the chance of travelling on that beast of a vehicle; gutted isn't the word! On Facebook, Tyne and Wear Metro claim that there were six buses operating despite someone claiming to have only seen one, and then say that buses should be running at a 15 minute frequency. I wouldn't have thought South Gosforth - Longbenton - Four Lane Ends would require as great as six buses to run at a 15 minute frequency!

Anyway, news article here - http://tyneandwear.sky.com/news/article/52174

edit - looks like the replacement bus service is operating all the way to Shiremoor! - http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/north-east-news/evening-chronicle-news/2013/01/08/delays-on-tyne-and-wear-metro-as-power-line-brought-down-72703-32567411/#ixzz2HOlE1P7F

Probably Volvo B9TL LJ58GCF which is a tri-axle decker with Optare Olympus body?

(08 Jan 2013, 8:32 pm)Brandon wrote Cheers Dan! Looks like we both posted a link to your photo at pretty much the same time

If I see this bus laying over at Four Lane Ends on a morning before its Scholars run and I have time, I'll try to ask the driver if I'd be allowed inside for a few photos. I can't seem to find any interior photos on Flickr. 9 times out of 10 though it's an Arriva Volvo in United livery running the 115, but that particular TGM bus does sneak out occasionally!

(20 Jan 2013, 1:52 pm)Brandon wrote Cheers for posting that link! I had no idea so much work was involved with escalator replacements. I didn't know that when there are no passengers on-board that they run at a slower speed to conserve energy. I always wondered why the Sunderland escalator begins to make more noise as soon as someone steps on, so I guess that's why.

The Tyne and Wear Metro is to benefit from a £23 million funding boost, Local Transport Minister Norman Baker confirmed today.

The Department for Transport has confirmed that it has awarded Nexus, the Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Executive, a total of £93m which is the maximum possible funding under the 2010 Funding Agreement for renewing and upgrading the Tyne and Wear Metro for the next three years.

The funding will allow Nexus to create about 60 new jobs to deliver projects within its Metro: all change modernisation programme – as well as sustaining hundreds more among engineering and transport contractors.

Local Transport Minister Norman Baker said: “This is a major programme of renewal of the metro infrastructure and will bring real benefits to the people and economy of the North East.

“The money gives Nexus the certainty to plan ahead and deliver the best outcomes for metro users.

"The Department for Transport is determined to support the North East of England in its efforts to deliver better transport for everyone and to cut carbon emissions.”

Metro is Britain’s busiest light rail network outside London, used by 38 million passengers every year.

The funding announced today will allow Nexus to deliver key projects between 2013 and 2016 which include:

· Renewing tracks and trackbeds from Tynemouth to Gateshead, including the busiest section of line through Newcastle city centre.

· Completing the refurbishment of the Metro train fleet

· Continuing the refurbishment of 45 stations in total, including stations in the Newcastle, Gateshead and South Tyneside areas.

· Introducing smart travel to Metro with the Pop card, including new ticket machines technology, gate lines and validators.

· Starting the system-wide replacement of vital overhead power lines, as well as upgrading communications and signal systems.

Ken Mackay, Director of Rail and Infrastructure at Nexus, said: “We are delighted the Government has shown its commitment to Metro modernisation by confirming funding in full, including the conditional element.

“The £93 million we will receive gives us the financial security to create 60 new jobs delivering modernisation on the ground, in addition to the contracts we will offer to leading engineering and transport contractors.

“This commitment from Government is a vote of confidence in the efficient, effective inward investment we are delivering for Tyne and Wear through the Metro: all change programme.”

DfT and Nexus agreed an 11-year funding programme for Metro modernisation in February 2010, worth up to £350m, with £100m of that subject to future commitments being met. This programme was confirmed by the coalition Government when it took office in May 2010.

Today’s £23m announcement confirms the full possible amount of grant for years 4-6 of the modernisation project. The total amount confirmed is £93m over 3 years to 2015/16, which together with the required local contribution of £10m will mean investment of over £100m in the next three years.

Metro: all change is the largest renewal project on the Tyne and Wear Metro since it was opened in 1980.

It has already seen Nexus replace 18km of track and trackbeds plus associated structures, refurbish 10 stations and 20 Metrocar trains, replace lifts and escalators at key stations and introduce 225 new smart ticket machines.

10th February - No trains Airport to Kingston Park
Sunday 10 February until about 12.30, this is to allow for modernisation work. During the work a bus replacement service will be calling at or close to all of the affected stations. Please leave extra time for your journey. We're sorry for any inconvenience.
Bus replacement stand stopping points
Bus replacement timetable

06th February 2013

Nexus, which owns, manages and is modernising the Metro system, has donated one of its 30 year-old old Metro ticket machines to Tyne and Wear Musuems to keep for posterity.

The old Metro ticket Metro machines are in the process of being replaced as part of the £385m Metro all change modernisation programme.

Nexus is replacing 225 ticket machines at 60 stations. The new smart ticket machines are capable of accepting credit/debit card payments and bank notes.

Just one of the old Metro ticket machines, which first entered service when the system first opened in 1980, will be handed over to Tyne and Wear Museums to put on public display.

Almost all of the Metro stations now have new ticket machines installed and there are less than ten stations left to get the new technology.

Director General of Nexus, Bernard Garner, said: “The old Metro ticket machines have served the people of the Tyne and Wear well for the last 32 years.

“The time has come to replace them with new technology, but it is also important that one of the old ticket machines is kept for posterity and I’m thrilled to be able to hand one over to Tyne and Wear Museums for public display.”

John Clayson, Keeper of Science and Industry for Tyne and Wear Museums, said: “These ticket machines are now part of the region’s heritage - millions of people have used them to travel for work, shopping and nights out.

“I’m sure the old machine will bring a smile to many people’s faces in future years - we all remember the struggle for change when arriving in a hurry at a Metro Station. The new machines are much more convenient. We can’t display the machine immediately, but we will keep it safely until there is an opportunity to show Metro’s heritage, and meantime it will be seen on tours ‘behind the scenes’.

The old Metro ticket machines were manufactured in France by a company called Crouzet. They print the Metro tickets using a built-in dot matrix style printing system.

The new smart ticket machines have been manufactured in Germany by a company called Scheidt and Bachmann. They boast touch screen technology and can handle smart card payments and can display in seven different languages to assist international visitors.

The remainder of the old Metro ticket machines are to be scrapped.

16th February - Major Line Closure Byker to North Shields
For six days, starting Saturday 16 to Thursday 21 February. To allow for track and bridge replacement work. During the line closure a frequent bus replacement will call at or close to all stations in the affected area. Metro tickets can be bought on the bus. Please leave extra time for your journey. We're sorry for an inconvenience.
Bus replacement timetable, Sat 16 Feb
Bus replacement timetable, Sun 17 Feb
Bus replacement timetable Mon 18 Feb - Thurs 21 Feb
Bus replacement stopping points

(14 Feb 2013, 11:39 pm)Brandon wrote Cheers for that Dan! I'll get the complete timetable edited and re-posted with the revised times before the 22nd. I'll also upload in PDF format, as well as Excel.

(14 Feb 2013, 11:41 pm)Daniel wrote

(14 Feb 2013, 11:39 pm)Brandon wrote Cheers for that Dan! I'll get the complete timetable edited and re-posted with the revised times before the 22nd. I'll also upload in PDF format, as well as Excel.

I did pity you when I read '1 timetable change' - wasn't sure how big the changes were going to be! :L

Metro encourages passengers to join the transport revolution

Passengers on the Tyne and Wear Metro were today treated to a rainbow coloured revolutionary display, as the countdown to the transport revolution begins with the roll out of the new Metro Pop card to all MetroSaver customers.

A group of Pop revolutionaries, complete with placards and props, came together to demonstrate an exciting new era of smartcard s which will make it easier and more convenient for passengers to use public transport around the region.

2nd March - No trains South Gosforth to Northumberland Park
All day Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 March, to allow for modernisation work. A bus replacement service will run between South Gosforth and Northumberland Park. During the work only platform 2 will be in use at Northumberland Park and Shiremoor. Trains may not run to usual timetable during the work, so please leave extra time for your journey. There will be a 15 minute train frequency between St James and Northumberland Park on Saturday 2 March.

Bus replacement stopping points
Bus replacement timetable Saturday 2 March
Bus replacement timetable Sunday 3 March

Students get new Metro smartcard

Students at Newcastle University will soon be able to use their campus smart card to travel around the city on the Tyne and Wear Metro.

The pilot scheme launched today between the North East Smart Ticketing Initiative (NESTI) and the University will eventually reach up to 20,000 students, when it is fully rolled out.

(28 Feb 2013, 9:56 pm)Daniel wrote Disruptions occurring later this week:

2nd March - No trains South Gosforth to Northumberland Park
All day Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 March, to allow for modernisation work. A bus replacement service will run between South Gosforth and Northumberland Park. During the work only platform 2 will be in use at Northumberland Park and Shiremoor. Trains may not run to usual timetable during the work, so please leave extra time for your journey. There will be a 15 minute train frequency between St James and Northumberland Park on Saturday 2 March.

Bus replacement stopping points
Bus replacement timetable Saturday 2 March
Bus replacement timetable Sunday 3 March

Me thinks it's an Arriva one again!

(01 Mar 2013, 4:18 pm)Daniel wrote I'd still love to know why Tyne and Wear operators register Metro replacement work - surely, as it's rail replacement work, they needn't? After all, that's classed as private and work and need not be registered...