(21 Oct 2016, 5:47 pm)GuyParkRoyal wrote Nexus are seeking tender responses for the 353 bus service with a closing date of 21st November 2016.

(23 Oct 2016, 7:46 pm)Shrek wrote Hopefully they look at the timetable as well. It's regularly 20+ minutes late at rush hour.

(05 Nov 2016, 1:01 pm)Dan wrote The contract commences 19/03/2017 and ends 17/03/2018.

It requires two vehicles, which are low-floor, Euro 4, and have a minimum capacity of 36.

(11 Dec 2016, 9:30 pm)Tom wrote Any idea who's won this contact then? Probably Phoenix or something...

(12 Dec 2016, 4:07 pm)Dan wrote The response deadline was 05/12/2016, so Nexus should reveal which operator the contract has been awarded to shortly.

(17 Dec 2016, 10:53 am)Dan wrote The Monday - Saturday daytime operation of service 353 is no longer up for tender.

The evening and Sunday operation of service 353 has been revised to operate between Kingston Park, Airport, Dinnington, Dudley and Benton ASDA only instead of Four Lane Ends, and is now numbered 42A.

An additional Sunday morning journey from Benton ASDA has also been added into the timetable, at 10:24.

The evening and Sunday contract has a vehicle requirement of 2x Euro 4 low-floor vehicles with a minimum capacity of 23.

(17 Dec 2016, 10:53 am)Dan wrote The Monday - Saturday daytime operation of service 353 is no longer up for tender.

The evening and Sunday operation of service 353 has been revised to operate between Kingston Park, Airport, Dinnington, Dudley and Benton ASDA only instead of Four Lane Ends, and is now numbered 42A.

An additional Sunday morning journey from Benton ASDA has also been added into the timetable, at 10:24.

The evening and Sunday contract has a vehicle requirement of 2x Euro 4 low-floor vehicles with a minimum capacity of 23.

(17 Dec 2016, 9:26 pm)Tom wrote So guessing GNE are running it and it'll interwork with the 42?

Edit - or actually will it not just be merged with the 42?  Could be seeing more service changes in North Tyneside but fantastic if North Tyneside is getting a direct link to the Airport.

(18 Dec 2016, 12:39 am)dannygee wrote This still being operated by riverside or could percy main get a new route

(18 Dec 2016, 10:33 am)Tom wrote I reckon the short 42 will be extended to Kingston Park and renumbered 42A.

Is this another case where someone else has won the contract and GNE decided to run it commercially?

(18 Dec 2016, 10:42 am)Michael wrote Looks like it, wonder if GNE will increase running time for it, if they've decided to run it commercially?

Would imagine one/both Solo Sr's currently allocated to the 353 will be repainted to North Tyne Indigo, if the merge goes head?

(05 Jan 2017, 4:05 pm)GuyParkRoyal wrote Nexus have been seeking tender responses for the provision of Metro Rail Replacement Bus Services.

(05 Jan 2017, 4:25 pm)Dan wrote More recently, the evening/Sunday operation of service 32A (Newcastle - Benwell - Kenton - Benwell - Newcastle).

New contract is 30/04/2017 - 17/03/2018, with 2x Euro 4 vehicles with a minimum capacity of 23 on evenings, and 3x Euro 4 same spec vehicles on Sunday daytime. The reason why the evening service only requires two buses is because the timetable is revised to operate hourly between Newcastle and Kenton Bar Estate, but remains half hourly to Etal Lane.

(10 Jan 2017, 11:24 pm)dannygee wrote Do we know who has been won the bid for metro replacements?

(11 Jan 2017, 8:45 am)GuyParkRoyal wrote No it is still at the supplier response stage which ends on 20th January then followed by a review of tenders. The contract does not start until 1st April 2017 running for a period of 12 months.

(11 Jan 2017, 8:45 am)GuyParkRoyal wrote No it is still at the supplier response stage which ends on 20th January then followed by a review of tenders. The contract does not start until 1st April 2017 running for a period of 12 months.

(11 Jan 2017, 9:47 am)Michael wrote What part of the metro is shut for 12 months?

(11 Jan 2017, 10:08 am)tyresmoke wrote It'll be a framework for whenever they require buses during that period.

(17 Jan 2017, 11:14 am)GuyParkRoyal wrote Invitation to tender has gone out for the 18/18A Four Lane Ends - Walker secured services.

(17 Jan 2017, 4:57 pm)Dan wrote The contract is for the Monday - Saturday evening service and all day Sunday, replacing the Arriva North East contract.

Contract period is 30/04/2017 to 17/03/2018, with 2x low-floor Euro 4 vehicles with a minimum capacity of 23 required.

(18 Jan 2017, 8:15 pm)dannygee wrote Heard few drivers from different companies talking and they said that from march the following is happening

W1,W1A,W2, W3 and 333 all getting operated by go north east instead of phoenix.

Dan is this true? If so what about the 59/359. I know some stuff was up for tender but i was surprised when i heard this from phoenix drivers.

(18 Jan 2017, 8:18 pm)Tom wrote Seems odd - what have they got to operate it? Would make sense for the services to join the indiGo brand to be honest.

(19 Jan 2017, 12:01 am)park5354 wrote 637/8/9 will be surplus when 42A replaces 353.

(19 Jan 2017, 9:20 am)dannygee wrote Unless there are any more thames valley solos going to come up for them?

(19 Jan 2017, 9:43 am)Michael wrote Only more Solo to arrive from Thames Travel and that's YJ59 NNH (697 in GNE fleet), but its the Optare Solo M880 model, not the SR. I think 697 will more likely go to Washington or Deptford as a spare - due to the fact they're the only depots with that model and due to Depot standardization however i maybe wrong. 

(19 Jan 2017, 3:05 pm)GuyParkRoyal wrote Nexus are seeking tenders for South Tyneside and Sunderland services.
8, 39, 56A, 135 & 136 Evening and Sunday routes.
237, 238, 516, 592 & 593.