(20 Feb 2025, 10:32 pm)NMS26222 wrote When services say “supported with subsidies”, this could be for the slightest of thing such as one early morning trip for example. 

The 342 daytime is commercial so I’ve heard, with the evening trips being secured. Similar the 341 is secured on an evening such as when GCT ran them.

(20 Feb 2025, 5:45 pm)Aaron21 wrote Also on the topic of the 342. The benton rise journey terminate after the roundabout. However they have to turn around at the roundabout where the range is. However there is a stop before the roundabout and they ain't due to stop there. Also they arrive at (example) 9.22 at Benton rise. Timetable suggestion they also depart at this time. So i ain't sure how that's gonna work out

(20 Feb 2025, 2:01 pm)Storx wrote No worries, btw there's loads more services subsidised than just those but they're all hidden under contracts which aren't tendered. 

This is the full list in 2023, it's probably about time someone does it again to see what secret handouts have been given out in recent times aswell and how much it is for some of them especially the 21: https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/subsidised_bus_services_13#incoming-2383925

On the fares it depends what type of contract it is. Some are done where they're paid a lump sum and Nexus takes the fare revenue, they're the ones Nexus tickets are generally valid and there's other where the operator takes the fares and gets some money to tick them over into a profit where Nexus fares generally aren't accepted. 

Btw the 341 is commercial bar a few evening boards aswell.

(20 Feb 2025, 10:32 pm)NMS26222 wrote When services say “supported with subsidies”, this could be for the slightest of thing such as one early morning trip for example. 

The 342 daytime is commercial so I’ve heard, with the evening trips being secured. Similar the 341 is secured on an evening such as when GCT ran them.

(21 Feb 2025, 8:00 pm)OrangeArrow49 wrote So Nexus day tickets will no longer be valid on the 342, as it will be commercial?

I will be able to get the 350/351 and 356 to Coast Road and Whitley Bay with the £4 Nexus day ticket?

(21 Feb 2025, 8:44 pm)Thomas12 wrote Doubt it - Go North East don’t sell Nexus day tickets on the 317 which is a Nexus secured service (minimum cost)

(21 Feb 2025, 8:54 pm)OrangeArrow49 wrote Thanks, Thomas. I thought of the Nexus 317, I was aware Nexus tickets weren't valid on that. Means a fare increase on the 342 for adult fare-paying passengers. But good to know.

(21 Feb 2025, 9:20 pm)Thomas12 wrote Go North East used to provide a good value North Tyneside day ticket at £4.30 - now it’s £5.70! May as well buy a day rover. 

It’s quite sad when Gateshead Central have become the best operator in the area.

(21 Feb 2025, 9:38 pm)OrangeArrow49 wrote Yes, exactly. I know. Absolutely shocking it's £5.70 when the day rover is £6. Of course the day rover is going up to £6.80 next month, but no doubt GNE will put their fares up soon after. Same with Stagecoach, £5.20 for Newcastle and North Tyneside (but maybe that includes Cramlington?) but for comparable journeys, a day rover is the best value ticket in North Tyneside. 

Gateshead Central have really improved. They do run a really good service in Newcastle and North Tyneside and the fares are good (I'm aware that's Nexus rather than Gateshead Central). Modern fleet, reliable and punctual service. Wonder if the E200 MMCs off the 342 will operate the 35 and M71. Curious if the buses will be Nexus livery or white on the 35 and M71. X46 has gone from StreetLite WF to E200 MMC recently.

(21 Feb 2025, 9:20 pm)Thomas12 wrote Go North East used to provide a good value North Tyneside day ticket at £4.30 - now it’s £5.70! May as well buy a day rover. 

It’s quite sad when Gateshead Central have become the best operator in the area. 

(24 Feb 2025, 4:21 pm)Michael wrote Your guide to our service changes in North Tyneside, Newcastle and South East Northumberland


https://www.gonortheast.co.uk/your-guide-our-service-changes-north-tyneside-newcastle-and-south-east-northumberland

(24 Feb 2025, 8:51 pm)Aaron21 wrote I'm still so confused on what the 342 going to Benton Rise is gonna solve. Like is there a need for it to happen or is it to keep the 342 having a PVR of 3. 

Also the 54 by gne seems to have done good but bad at the same time

The last 354 journey to North Shields on a Monday to Saturday has now been replaced by an added 54 journey 

Also the 354 has lost 2 journeys now

The 19.05 & 20.00 has been withdrawn and a new 18.45 from North Shields has been added instead of 18.05

The 54 now replaces the the last 354 to North Shields

The 54 also has a 19.41 journey from Whitley Bay to Newcastle

(24 Feb 2025, 9:48 pm)Storx wrote I don't like to make wild assumptions from nowhere about removing routes but the cynic in me has a feeling that this 356 has been partially created so in the future they can bin off the 354. I don't know whether things have changed recently but the 354 at the Western end carts around fresh air, even worse than the 352, most the time.

The Eastern side is fully covered by the 19/353/356 now bar the Billy Mill area to Backworth but I'm not sure there's exactly millions of people wanting that.

That short 342 if extended to Killingworth, would conveniently time with a short 353 to North Shields aswell. Truth being told, it would be a better service for most people aswell tbh since the 354 is operationally so out of area.

(24 Feb 2025, 10:16 pm)L469 YVK wrote Really, the 353/53 has always been the strongest out of the former Arriva services, and should be re-instated to a 30 minute frequency.

(03 Mar 2025, 10:40 pm)ASX_Terranova wrote Having paid a visit to North Shields today, the 353 seemed busy, the 317 was rammed and the 9 was mostly dead untill jarrow. I'm not a regular in that area so probably not the best judge.

(04 Mar 2025, 7:02 pm)V514DFT wrote Been dead since the 9 took over, the 10/11 was never particularly rammed, but atleast Stagecoach didn't cheap out, and make the service go hourly at peak time like Go North East have and blame the Tyne Tunnel works for it, Stagecoach did try to maintain the half hourly service even if it did turn up late

(04 Mar 2025, 7:02 pm)V514DFT wrote Been dead since the 9 took over, the 10/11 was never particularly rammed, but atleast Stagecoach didn't cheap out, and make the service go hourly at peak time like Go North East have and blame the Tyne Tunnel works for it, Stagecoach did try to maintain the half hourly service even if it did turn up late

(04 Mar 2025, 7:13 pm)Thomas12 wrote It’s a nexus contract, so nexus decide on the route and frequency. It’s not a decision for Go North East or Stagecoach.

(04 Mar 2025, 7:28 pm)Michael wrote Isn't it hourly on weekends due to works in the Tyne Tunnel or have those finished now?, I haven't been that way for a while.

(04 Mar 2025, 7:02 pm)V514DFT wrote Been dead since the 9 took over, the 10/11 was never particularly rammed, but atleast Stagecoach didn't cheap out, and make the service go hourly at peak time like Go North East have and blame the Tyne Tunnel works for it, Stagecoach did try to maintain the half hourly service even if it did turn up late

(05 Mar 2025, 1:20 am)Rapidsnap wrote Don't be silly, like most construction / maintenance works in the UK, the Tyne Tunnel works have overun and are expected to last until the Summer.

(09 Mar 2025, 1:00 pm)Michael wrote Just noticed on the GNE timetable list - that the  North Tyne Rockets logo has been removed from the services and they're down as "Go North East" now.

Another brand bites the dust.

(09 Mar 2025, 2:18 pm)Aaron21 wrote Was pretty pointless. Was only to show passenger "look new colourful buses"

Well that went well didn't it