(11 Apr 2024, 10:30 pm)Ambassador wrote It did actually come up that the X39 used to operate to Gateshead. If it returned it has  the air of a BSIP funding option to it..

The Metro is interesting, it barely came up tbh. Whether people are conditioned to bus transfers or just put off by the reputation or difficulty of getting to Northumberland park…

A northstar contracted e200 silver link to Northumberland park incoming…

(20 May 2024, 12:21 pm)Andreos1 wrote https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/clke3g03rljo

Just glanced over this. Will read/digest fully later.

(21 May 2024, 1:50 pm)Ambassador wrote Interesting piece, whereas I'm supportive of a true public service, I still think putting competent people at the forefront is key. 

(22 May 2024, 9:12 pm)mb134 wrote 100%. 

Two of the largest operators in the region have Nigel Featham and John Rochford at the helm. We're seeing one of those operators let their standards slip to arguably their lowest ever point, while the other is suffering from a chronic staff shortage and hasn't met PVR for months (at this point it could be years). The worst part about that is that honestly it's hard to know which part of that statement applies to each operator, just to show the extent of the failings. 

The industry needs new blood with fresh ideas, but also needs to be far more transparent. The public, who at this point are pretty much paying for these services to run anyway, deserve a far better service than the one currently being 'delivered'. 

Essentially I don't think we can simply move to a system where the same old people are running the show, all you will get is a continuation of the public being treat with utter contempt.

(23 May 2024, 5:47 am)RobinHood wrote John Rochford at the helm of Arriva? When did that happen?

(24 Aug 2024, 7:20 am)DeltaMan wrote Durham Council pravda re Bishop Auckland Bus Station

Yes, I can definitely see that shiny new Bus Station bringing in folks to see all the boarded up shops.

BBC News - Hope new bus station will boost town visitors
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cz9wjvdqjppo

Yes

(24 Aug 2024, 7:51 am)Storx wrote Just another white elephant like the one at North Shields. No-one is not going to either because of lack of a bus station. 

Typical councillors who live in a different dimension when it comes to transport.

Personally I'd rather they used the space for something else like a cinema and bowling alley and used the market place for buses. You know things which bring people into a town... Good thing Tindale exists for that though...

(24 Aug 2024, 2:34 pm)Adrian wrote As has been mentioned before, the North Shields transport hub is part of the wider North Shields masterplan. The relocating of the ferry landing also forms part of that masterplan: https://my.northtyneside.gov.uk/sites/default/files/web-page-related-files/North%20Shields%20Masterplan%2016012021.pdf

Bishop Auckland is much the same. The new bus station forms part of a wider masterplan (https://www.bishopaucklandregeneration.com/projects/), but as with most regeneration schemes, the doom-mongers are always out in force.

(25 Aug 2024, 4:38 pm)BusLoverMum wrote Darlo does OK without a bus station because it has the big wide streets to facilitate it. I'm avoiding Durham City centre less now that we have our bus station back - getting a bus home was always so stressful with half our services leaving from one end of North road and half from the far end with an absolute scrum in between and I'm a fairly fit middle aged woman rather than someone elderly or with disabilities.

(24 Aug 2024, 10:47 pm)Storx wrote Personally I think bus stations anywhere are a waste of money, bar for regional buses. Our European friends can mostly do without and they take up a lot of space (in a country with limited space) with very little benefit.

Darlington, Cramlington and Stockton have some of the strongest bus usership in the North East, none of these have a bus station.

Others might disagree but I can't think of any examples where a new bus station has been part of a resurgence of a town because Stanley, Consett and Hexham have done absolutely nothing to improve the area around them which have had them in recent'ish times, if anything they've got worse and the first two bus usership has fell off a cliff aswell, in recent years aswell. Hexham has arguably got much worse since they moved it 5 minutes down the road in the middle of nowhere, fine for someone able to walk, not so fine for a pensioner who can't walk well - the people who use buses to shop. Didn't someone actually mention the X84/X85 died pretty partially because people couldn't be bothered to walk down there and got on the 685 instead.

Obviously warm waiting areas etc are a benefit, but surely there's other solutions ie. converting empty shop units with seating etc which could be a local hub for other services aswell. Frequent services are irrelevant as you won't be waiting long anyway.

(26 Aug 2024, 7:23 pm)Andreos1 wrote I wonder if the bus stations aren't actually the issue. 
Might sound like a broken record (again), but if the operators network isn't fit for purpose - then bus stops, stations or interchanges won't be fit for purpose either.

I don't think the bus stations in Consett, Stanley or wherever else are actually the issue.

(26 Aug 2024, 7:23 pm)Andreos1 wrote I wonder if the bus stations aren't actually the issue. 
Might sound like a broken record (again), but if the operators network isn't fit for purpose - then bus stops, stations or interchanges won't be fit for purpose either.

I don't think the bus stations in Consett, Stanley or wherever else are actually the issue.

(27 Aug 2024, 10:04 am)Ambassador wrote Whilst there's other reasons for using it - the train station is well out of the way - and ridership seems to be continually increasing

not everyone has Internet access for timetables or to buy tickets

(27 Aug 2024, 4:48 pm)BusLoverMum wrote Or to check bus apps. We were at Park Lane yesterday and people there had no idea that their 8 or the arriva 22 were going to be no shows. The poor saps waiting for the 22 had another hour to wait for the next one. 

Of course it's lamentable that the displays at bus stops don't relay this information to passengers, especially in bus stations.

(27 Aug 2024, 4:18 pm)morritt89 wrote Bus stations, if done right, can be a good thing.

I'm from Sunderland so will use Park Lane as my example. The main user is Go North East with some coaching departures too and a smattering of Arriva. I remember when it opened, Stagecoach using it for their services too. Now if I wanted to use a Stagecoach Bus after getting off in Park Lane I would need to walk to one of the various streets or the stop that was installed near the crossing at the top of the station (a stop with no shelter or seats). Would Park Lane be able to cope with todays frequency of buses?

Park Lane replaced the old Park Lane and the more central bus station. I would argue that Park Lane isn't great when it's windy, wet or winter due to the fact it isn't enclosed. So the actual building design is poor (considering our weather). It does however have Metro Interchange facilities and a taxi rank.

You move to South Shields with its new Interchange. Its all indoors so plus points there. The town centre in Shields isn't a patch on what I remember it being as a kid, in particular the market. You also have the ferry landing  which is a fair walk from the Interchange.

I've just returned from Palma which has a very good,  central Interchange facility. Admittedly the bus bus station gave off old Eldon Square vibes with it being underground but once you got off the bus you were faced with railway platforms, shops, travel offices (remember those?), up to date departure boards and timetables as well as staff who were very helpful.

For me, bus stations need to be in the right location for everyone (Hexham), be of a good standard (indoor with facilities) and actually have services using them. I would also argue to bring back staff and travel shops/offices which would be particularly useful in touristy spots (Newcastle) and to help those who don't often use public transport. Also, not everyone has Internet access for timetables or to buy tickets. Whilst what we have may work for the majority (insert your own percentage here) , its not working for everyone.