(05 Jun 2023, 10:16 pm)Ambassador wrote The whole thing just shows how awful the transport infrastructure across Tyne and Wear really is. Two concerts at under 100,000 and they give up

Having seen how Edinburgh Trams handled Springsteen and then how TFGM coped with Elton John, Artic Monkeys and Coldplay across 3 venues on the same night it’s actually embarrassing how badly prepared  our network is for an event like this.

Terrifying to think this lot could actually be running the whole show when regional devolution steps in. I think I’d prefer a MG and Roger French combo over NECA and Nexus.

I'm not one for jumping to the defence of Nexus, but they're only playing with the hand they're dealt here.

As you well know, we live in a deregulated bus market that is supposed to increase competition. The only problem with that, is when there's a chance to think outside of the box, on the most part it doesn't happen, unless Nexus find a pot of money to throw at it.

I'm a loss as to why when there's sold out gigs at the two biggest stadiums in our region, bus operators by large insist on running their usual evening service. Drifter60 has highlighted above that Fender is due off stage 22.50-23.00, yet that Peterlee bound, and the following Houghton bound X1 would have left before that. That's just one example, but there are many others.

What about Park and Ride services? You've got huge car parks sitting empty most evenings. If the SF1 is running to Kingston Park, surely something could have been worked out with the site management to allow use for park and ride. Same with utilising the Metrocentre, Galleries, Wessington Way, etc.

For me, it highlights yet another reason why we need an integrated network.