(12 May 2023, 9:54 pm)Storx wrote Can't disagree really to be fair.


The sad thing is for it's first 10 year or so it was actually alright, massive extension, few new bus stations etc. but it's just gone to pot. It's ever since they done the North Shields refurb, everything after that has been a shambles, delayed or over budget. I know there's been budget cuts but it doesn't excuse the Tyne Tunnel Pedestrian being delayed by god knows how long (it's still not finished), losing the budget for the ferry pier as they ran out of time, half the stations still not being refurbished (painting things black isn't a refurb) etc.

It's sad, places like Manchester are street years ahead and don't get me started on POP and their web presence which looks like it was built in 1996. It's really hard to think of 1 good thing they've done in the past 5 years and that's not even sarcastic - it really is.

I'll give you overseeing the Sunderland extension, though it was done on a shoestring, should have included Washington and trashed the fleet. Pragmatically, as soon as the extension was opened, they should have begun the process of pressing for a new fleet, sourcing parts for the current fleet was starting becoming an issue back in 2002 so they must have been aware that the situation as not going to get any better with no action.

I always feel that Nexus could have had more teeth like the other PTEs down south, i.e. when Merseytravel went gung ho over the Merseyrail Electrics franchise.
Today Nexus seem almost non-existent, I am often tempted to opt out when the Nexus researchers ask about my ticket and where I am travelling on the bus, because I think what is the point. As it stands, what value does Nexus give to the local authorities they represent, compared to perhaps having transport officers employed directly by the councils?