(09 Jun 2023, 12:51 pm)Adrian wrote 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.

I do think Nexus have panicked as well. There is no reason why 2 events should cause this much chaos but I'd argue that Stadium of Light in particular needs a much better travel plan for its gigs and that should be looked at going forward.

We aren't talking huge crowds, Newcastle is just over its usual capacity for home games and there's actually less people in the city than when Loosefest was on at Exhibition Park at the same time Newcastle played at home earlier this season. If they can't figure a way to safely operate between 2 sites that are 14 miles away then god help us all. 

Having seen the state of some people in town already, I wouldn't fancy driving a bus post-gig tonight (but then looking at their cancellations tonight - doesn't look like that many fancied driving pre-gig either!)