(10 Apr 2024, 8:34 pm)busmanT wrote Both Jamie and Kim will, if they win, introduce bus franchising.
Kim has already announced that if she wins the franchised bus network will be called the “Angel Network”.
Buses will be in the same livery as Metro trains ie mostly yellow.
From the transport hustings I attended in Newcastle, the Lib Dem and Green candidate also supported the idea of a franchised bus network.
The Tory, perhaps as expected, spoke a lot about caution about punishing motorists (which I think is the national narrative?) and the Reform candidate didn't really for or against the model, but towed some of the same line as the Tory about motorists.
(11 Apr 2024, 2:18 am)deanmachine wrote Like I said on a different thread previously, I really hope the entire network is looked at properly, not just buses but a proper integration of Rail, Metro and Bus. More importantly, I hope it isn't just Nexus given the keys to the lot for them to do what they've done to the Metro, there needs to be more reforming then just painting the buses yellow again.
It needs to be, but I think realistically it'll be taken over largely as is, then gradual reforms and changes made.
There'll be a lot for everyone to learn, if we're to move forward with this model, and I think one of the biggest decisions will be ensuring we've got the right management in place. As things stand, I'm not convinced we do have. We've a Joint Transport Committee that make the decisions, without a single public transport user amongst them. I think Gannon and Hughes only see a bus when they're stood between it and a camera.
(11 Apr 2024, 12:49 pm)Storx wrote I hope they scrap the ridiculous 'Angel'. It doesn't represent the North East, at all, and would just show Tyneside bias like pretty much anything like this.
You don't go to Paris and get the Eiffel Bus. It's just not needed at all and pointless. The Bee Network in Manchester is bad enough.
I'd assume it would be the 'expertise' at Transport North East who would take the reins rather than Nexus though.
I make no secret about being a big supporter of Jamie Driscoll, but I hope whoever gets in, the first thing they realise is that this never-ending pointless branding just doesn't work. It doesn't need to be branded anything other than 'Transport North East' or whatever the trading name is.
As for colour scheme, then yes, I'd say it makes sense to paint them similar to the Metro, but it's really the least of our worries with the current network.