Hi all

Thought I would add some details of the tenders that have gone out recently, see the attached PDF file for the latest situation that I'm aware of. I will add more and more detail in here as best as I can.

I'll keep this updated and put the latest info in this top post but feel free to discuss below!

Scott

(30 Dec 2013, 4:37 pm)tyresmoke wrote Hi all

Thought I would add some details of the tenders that have gone out recently, see the attached PDF file for the latest situation that I'm aware of. I will add more and more detail in here as best as I can.

I'll keep this updated and put the latest info in this top post but feel free to discuss below!

Scott

So those services are up for contract, or have already been taken if you know what I mean...

(30 Dec 2013, 5:15 pm)Tom wrote So those services are up for contract, or have already been taken if you know what I mean...

Doesn't matter, I know now! - So some of the ''East Durham'' services are up for contract. Hmmmm.

NEPO have a number of tenders available from council, local authorities etc.
You may need to be registered to view them though.

(30 Dec 2013, 5:17 pm)Tom wrote Doesn't matter, I know now! - So some of the ''East Durham'' services are up for contract. Hmmmm.

The East Durham ones shown as "Not Awarded" I believe were taken on commercially by Go North East. The reasoning behind that I'm not sure of but maybe our GNE insiders can shed some light?
You'll notice some registrations by Classic for the Durham evening work (48A/49/50) and then cancelled at short notice... I believe these were taken on commercially by Arriva again.... All would have been academic come next month anyway I suppose!

Is there any document available anywhere like this for the Teesside area ie, Stockton, Middlesbrough and Redcar and Cleveland showing all tenders

(30 Dec 2013, 5:26 pm)tango wrote Is there any document available anywhere like this for the Teesside area ie, Stockton, Middlesbrough and Redcar and Cleveland showing all tenders

There's very little left and what little is left (505/506, 507, 577, 537, 555/556, 588/589, 87A/87B) will be getting binned in April by Stockton council anyway.
Middlesbrough based 610/611 are funded for 3 years from April 2013 (after they were cut by the council) from a housing development in Stainton. Similar funding has kept the early morning Leven Valley services 603/4/5/6 and the funded parts of 18/19 running. Once this money runs out they will likely face the chop unless they are commercially viable.

Let's not forget the Durham Park & Ride is a prestigious contract that is up for renewal in October 2014! Could be an interesting one to watch with so many companies competing for it....

(30 Dec 2013, 5:24 pm)tyresmoke wrote The East Durham ones shown as "Not Awarded" I believe were taken on commercially by Go North East. The reasoning behind that I'm not sure of but maybe our GNE insiders can shed some light?
You'll notice some registrations by Classic for the Durham evening work (48A/49/50) and then cancelled at short notice... I believe these were taken on commercially by Arriva again.... All would have been academic come next month anyway I suppose!

I think the only East Durham buses GNE run on contract are the 59 and 239, not sure though

Any idea of who will most likely be bidding for the Durham P&R when it comes up for tender?

(30 Dec 2013, 8:45 pm)peter wrote Any idea of who will most likely be bidding for the Durham P&R when it comes up for tender?

Take your pick from Arriva, Go North East, Scarlet Band, Weardale and no doubt there'll be a few more in for it too!

807/877 Peterlee/Seaham Scholar services says 40 seat capacity but I believe both services are regularly worked by a MPD.
I know the evening runs certainly are, the evening 807 works off the 206 and I think 877 may work off the 99 if I recall correctly. I mean the morning 877 used to be by Chester working onto 65's afterwards.

Nexus contracts list for FY 2013-14. The Excel document attached not only lists the route numbers, but the actual resource boards.

(06 Feb 2014, 5:54 pm)aureolin wrote Nexus contracts list for FY 2013-14. The Excel document attached not only lists the route numbers, but the actual resource boards.

Wasn't aware of the 994 being funded by a 3rd party!

Interesting document nonetheless

By that the contract for the Sunderland Connect is due to run out on 30.8.14

Wonder which company will gain it, i hope GNE keeps it tbh.

(06 Feb 2014, 6:24 pm)andreos1 wrote Wasn't aware of the 994 being funded by a 3rd party!

Interesting document nonetheless

I had thought it would have been something along those lines. They're very 'relaxed' on the fares. Generally if you hop off the 4 at Follingsby roundabout and wait for the 994, they'll just let you on for nowt!

(06 Feb 2014, 6:35 pm)Michael wrote By that the contract for the Sunderland Connect is due to run out on 30.8.14

Wonder which company will gain it, i hope GNE keeps it tbh.

You never know. It's good to have a list of the end dates. Opens the opportunity for endless speculation. :p

(06 Feb 2014, 6:35 pm)Michael wrote By that the contract for the Sunderland Connect is due to run out on 30.8.14

Wonder which company will gain it, i hope GNE keeps it tbh.

The 73 is due to run out on 01/06/2014, so might be fully operated by GNE?

I've said it before but Nexus should indicate which journeys they are paying for on timetables.... Even if it means changing the layout to what Durham Council use!

So we now have a few results

K1/K2 Killingworth locals - Phoenix Coaches
33 Newcastle - Hollywood Ave - Kingsleys

(13 Feb 2014, 4:55 pm)tyresmoke wrote So we now have a few results

K1/K2 Killingworth locals - Phoenix Coaches
33 Newcastle - Hollywood Ave - Kingsleys

Will Phoenix use a Solo on the K1/K2? And what will the 17 use on a night as they only have three Solos, MX07EVU is usually used on the 19, so that leaves the white one and the Asda Rider one. The PVR for the evening 17's is 3.

(13 Feb 2014, 4:55 pm)tyresmoke wrote So we now have a few results

K1/K2 Killingworth locals - Phoenix Coaches
33 Newcastle - Hollywood Ave - Kingsleys

Interesting. Wonder if the 33 accepts Stagecoach Megarider tickets? Similar to how the M2/M3 ran by Arriva accept GNE tickets. If it doesn't, one would suggest that it doesn't provide value for money.

(13 Feb 2014, 5:44 pm)aureolin wrote Interesting. Wonder if the 33 accepts Stagecoach Megarider tickets? Similar to how the M2/M3 ran by Arriva accept GNE tickets. If it doesn't, one would suggest that it doesn't provide value for money.

Slight difference in that being GNE normally run the M2/M3 during the day though? Stagecoach have dropped the 33 entirely and this is a tendered replacement to keep the service running. Will be interesting to see what they use as it is down for a Euro3 vehicle!

(13 Feb 2014, 5:56 pm)tyresmoke wrote Slight difference in that being GNE normally run the M2/M3 during the day though? Stagecoach have dropped the 33 entirely and this is a tendered replacement to keep the service running. Will be interesting to see what they use as it is down for a Euro3 vehicle!

I personally think Phoenix are taking a bit too much on!

They only have three solos, don't they? Or will the K1/K2 be operated by something else, which will interwork with the 17?

(13 Feb 2014, 6:16 pm)Tom wrote I personally think Phoenix are taking a bit too much on!

They only have three solos, don't they? Or will the K1/K2 be operated by something else, which will interwork with the 17?

K1/K2 has a size restriction on it, nothing bigger than an M710 Solo.
I'm sure it was mentioned recently about Phoenix buying a 53 plate Solo though, so they would have 4. Let's not forget that the K1/K2 is finished by 1555 on a weekday so they wouldn't have much issue with operating the 17 (only evening/Sundays)

(13 Feb 2014, 6:43 pm)tyresmoke wrote K1/K2 has a size restriction on it, nothing bigger than an M710 Solo.
I'm sure it was mentioned recently about Phoenix buying a 53 plate Solo though, so they would have 4. Let's not forget that the K1/K2 is finished by 1555 on a weekday so they wouldn't have much issue with operating the 17 (only evening/Sundays)

Oh, they're operating it on Sundays too?

(13 Feb 2014, 6:44 pm)Tom wrote Oh, they're operating it on Sundays too?

No sorry just looked at the tender and it is Mon-Sat evenings only.
Min Capacity 36, Euro 3...

(13 Feb 2014, 6:16 pm)Tom wrote I personally think Phoenix are taking a bit too much on!

They only have three solos, don't they? Or will the K1/K2 be operated by something else, which will interwork with the 17?

Maybe a bit of that, but I hope it helps them grow. They seem to make a good job of the routes they've got at present.

(13 Feb 2014, 8:12 pm)aureolin wrote Maybe a bit of that, but I hope it helps them grow. They seem to make a good job of the routes they've got at present.

They do, friendly drivers, good punctuality, clean buses.

(13 Feb 2014, 8:12 pm)aureolin wrote Maybe a bit of that, but I hope it helps them grow. They seem to make a good job of the routes they've got at present.

Let's not forget they're a massive company - just the bus operation may be small but they have lots of minibuses (around 30-40?) and the taxi operation is pretty huge too.