• Mincap 44
  
• Mincap 60
  
• Mincap 84
  
• Mincap 90
  

(25 Feb 2022, 6:17 pm)Dan wrote Nexus has today invited operators to tender for Miscellaneous Workings (school and works) services.

An anticipated decision to award will be made by 12 May 2022, with contracts awarded on 25 May, with contracts commencing for a two-year period from 29 August 2022 until 30 August 2024.

As always, there are different capacity requirements:

• Mincap 44
  
• Mincap 60
  
• Mincap 84
  
• Mincap 90
  

For the first time, these contracts will not be awarded on 100% cost, and Nexus will incentivise operators to provide Euro 5 or greater vehicles, with a 10% quality mark/90% cost weighting. There will also be a contractual requirement to provide contactless-enabled ticket machines on all services.

A huge step in the right direction for these services - clearly contract awards are a long time away yet (three months) but it will be interesting to see how it unfolds this year. Without question this will result in improved quality, not only on these services, but also Metro Replacement services too, where some bus operators currently cannot offer contactless payment methods to customers which is a standard feature on Metro itself.

(25 Feb 2022, 6:22 pm)Adrian wrote Agree its a step in the right direction, but still feels a bit lopsided towards cost.

Also a step in the right direction that it's a multi-year contract.

(25 Feb 2022, 6:23 pm)stagecoachbusdepot wrote Is Euro 5 an improvement for these kind of services or are they always this kind of level?  Will it rule out some of the independents decker fleets for example?

(25 Feb 2022, 6:34 pm)Dan wrote Most double-deck buses on Nexus Miscellaneous Workings (from all operators) are Euro 4, and most single-deck buses are already Euro 5.

The fact that the minimum requirement is still Euro 4, but Euro 5 is incentivised, means no independent operators are ruled out. Some smaller operators, such as A-line Coaches, already have a full fleet of Euro 5 buses. This allows them to be better equipped to win some of these contracts (with a 10% quality weighting), acknowleding their previous fleet investments. A huge step in the right direction.

Stagecoach usually allocate Euro 5 double-decks to their Nexus Miscellaneous Workings, which puts them at an advantage to possibly win more. I believe all of JH Coaches and Gateshead Central Taxis' double-decks are Euro 4, whilst Go North East has a mix of both.

(25 Feb 2022, 6:41 pm)stagecoachbusdepot wrote Thanks - misread that initial post around incentivising rather than stipulating Euro 5.  I guess most of Stagecoach deckers will have been converted to Euro 6 by now in readiness for Newcastle CAZ anyway.  Are there any other domains of quality taken into account (like track record of turning up!...  or next stops etc) or just emissions standard?

(25 Feb 2022, 6:54 pm)Dan wrote I'm a huge advocate of next stop announcements being provided, but the cost would far outweigh the benefit for the students that would rely on such a system.

(25 Feb 2022, 10:17 pm)DaveFromUpNorth wrote Then again will Nexus improve their customer service too!

I complained about service 41 or 41A

(Reason why I contacted GNE so they were aware of the complaint as they run the service too)

Called Nexus who told me on the phone and I will  quote for a service not turning up

" did you check social media for updates on the service"

I used very fruitful words and said I don't have social media

I was then given a telephone  number for a taxi booking office

Who transfered  me to to the bus division with ...elllo...

I rang in the morning I asked if the service will be running tonight as it didn't last night ...em em giz a call back later in tonight or evening if we answer I'll be able to tell ya if its running tonight"

This is a company that gets in excess of £400k a month from tax payer subsidiary  to operate Nexus Secured Services

Nexus should insist on Tracking on buses is a must especially  for secured services they should also stipulate social media announcements for secured services (GNE are the best in social media issues in T&W)

We also need a contingency plan that If a service is not running  due to "Covid" Staff Shortage" that an alternative service even different  company or a taxi will operate the route

It's sad to see to run a service its about £35-45 per hour based on an hourly service

The least they can do is put a taxi on or find another operator to assist to run the service!

Sorry for the rant of my honesty and bluntness

(26 Feb 2022, 9:06 am)Storx wrote Tracking is law above contracts, all buses should be tracked now. I know GCT is working though - https://bustimes.org/operators/gateshead-central-taxis/vehicles

Other dodgy operators *cough PCL Travel or whatever name this week* aren't though.

(26 Feb 2022, 8:44 pm)DaveFromUpNorth wrote I have 8 emails so far in with Nexus about GCT 
Latest one was a NEXUS secured service that failed to operate the last bus service actually last night!

(26 Feb 2022, 8:44 pm)DaveFromUpNorth wrote I have 8 emails so far in with Nexus about GCT 
Latest one was a NEXUS secured service that failed to operate the last bus service actually last night!

(26 Feb 2022, 8:44 pm)DaveFromUpNorth wrote I have 8 emails so far in with Nexus about GCT 
Latest one was a NEXUS secured service that failed to operate the last bus service actually last night!

(04 Mar 2022, 5:32 pm)Rob44 wrote Do any of the bus companies may money from these service.  This sound like a stupid question but say they tender it for 100000 for the year and win the tender would they be looking to make it run for say 90k to make 10 k profit. Or would they look at the bottom line of say 90K and say that ther minimum we could run it for and tender at that price hoping to win it?  Or would they even tender it and make a loss to maybe dip a toe into another groups area?

(04 Mar 2022, 9:01 pm)OrangeArrow49 wrote Does it make any difference to operators which operator I purchase a Day Rover from? They should get a good share of the revenue.