Suspect this won't be the first of this type of withdrawal as cost pressures rise (see Yorkshire Buses)

However, it does beg the question, is the tender and procurement process atypically local government driven (low price - sod the outcome) going to cost much more in the long run.

When the Angel network does come in, we'll likely see the likes of these and GCT reduced to school work and rail replacements, as the real big boys swoop in (a la manchester and liverpool)

I am shocked, shocked that running 18 year old bendy citaros on a tendered route isn't a viable business strategy.

(20 Apr 2026, 11:57 am)Ambassador wrote Suspect this won't be the first of this type of withdrawal as cost pressures rise  (see Yorkshire Buses)

However, it does beg the question, is the tender and procurement process atypically local government driven (low price - sod the outcome) going to cost much more in the long run.

When the Angel network does come in, we'll likely see the likes of these and GCT reduced to school work and rail replacements, as the real big boys swoop in (a la manchester and liverpool)

For me, it's alarming that businesses are putting themselves into a position. Diesel has been on an almost-rapid upward trend for 6 years now, and whilst it of course spiked with the outbreak of the invasion of Ukraine, the price has been volatile ever since then. To need to 'chuck the contract' or close your business down after just over a month of a spike, is probably a good indication that you've got your numbers wrong.

Nexus procurement has been broken for a long time imo. Whereas previously there was a quality element, I suspect that nowadays it's heavily or exclusively on price. There is supposed to be an obligation on contracting authorities to "seek explanations from bidders about abnormally low tenders, before taking action to reject the bidder.", and I think it's reasonable to question whether this happened here. 

It must cost Nexus a fortune to re-tender all their services each year alone, without adding the cost of unexpected re-tenders and emergency awards to the mix.

On the latter point, I'm not sure I agree. I would hope that lessons have been learned about the way the big boys were able to grab most of the SME work, and that they resolve that going forward. There's definitely a role for SMEs to play here, and I think the security of a long-term contract award will allow them to invest.

(20 Apr 2026, 1:23 pm)Adrian wrote On the latter point, I'm not sure I agree. I would hope that lessons have been learned about the way the big boys were able to grab most of the SME work, and that they resolve that going forward. There's definitely a role for SMEs to play here, and I think the security of a long-term contract award will allow them to invest.

We could end up with a situation where someone buys Northstar, for example, to get a foot into the market - as we saw with Tower Transit and Huyton Travel when Huyton won more contracts than it has actual buses!

(20 Apr 2026, 12:23 pm)deanmachine wrote I am shocked, shocked that running 18 year old bendy citaros on a tendered route isn't a viable business strategy.

I'm shocked they've lasted this long on service delivery. A friend of mine works quite high up at the University and she describes the service being provided as "appalling"

Questions need to be asked about how Nexus manage the contracts if even a quarter of the things she told me are true.

With fuel costs, I imagine that larger operators will have the advantage over smaller operators in relation to costs. Will we see more smaller operators give back contracts or close their doors because of this (not just in the North East, but UK wide)? I'd imagine so unfortunately.

Let's not forget, GNE handed back Durham Council school contracts after we got a pay rise and the contracts started losing money.

(20 Apr 2026, 2:53 pm)morritt89 wrote With fuel costs, I imagine that larger operators will have the advantage over smaller operators in relation to costs. Will we see more smaller operators give back contracts or close their doors because of this (not just in the North East, but UK wide)? I'd imagine so unfortunately.

Let's not forget, GNE handed back Durham Council school contracts after we got a pay rise and the contracts started losing money.

They will, in that they have a much larger purchasing power and can avert risk by hedging their fuel price at a much competitive level than say City, who I believe like many independents, pay retail price. There's of course nothing to stop an SME entering into a hedging agreement, but not only is their purchasing power a tiny fraction of the big boys, they also haven't got the contract security to enter into anything more than a 12 month contract. 

Pay awards are something else that should be in a risk forecast when bidding for contract work, though I've heard a similar argument myself plenty of times!

Do Nexus contracts have any mechanism for a price adjustment for exceptional/unforeseeable things happening to fuel prices? I have never heard of any mention of it, but in the wider transport world I'm pretty sure there are examples elsewhere in the bus/coach world and in road haulage. Otherwise any other than very short term contracts are a gamble for both sides. (If a contract is just based on whatever are current prices at the time when the contract is made, the customer gets no benefit if prices fall ; so they do have an incentive for some risk /benefit sharing.)

Hedging doesn't mean no issues. While it protects the operator from shock rises, when prices fall I doubt if it can be "heads you win, tails you don't lose". So it suggests to me the big firms can end up paying more than the spot price if they hedged at the top of the market.

And I'm pretty sure hedging will have a minimum supply quantity that is quite high, and small businesses like City Transport (licensed to operate just 5 PSVs)  would not be in scope.

(20 Apr 2026, 9:07 pm)Busadvocate wrote Do Nexus contracts have any mechanism for a price adjustment for exceptional/unforeseeable things happening to fuel prices? I have never heard of any mention of it, but in the wider transport world I'm pretty sure there are examples elsewhere in the bus/coach world and in road haulage. Otherwise any other than very short term contracts are a gamble for both sides. (If a contract is just based on whatever are current prices at the time when the contract is made, the customer gets no benefit if prices fall ; so they do have an incentive for some risk /benefit sharing.)

Hedging doesn't mean no issues. While it protects the operator from shock rises, when prices fall I doubt if it can be "heads you win, tails you don't lose". So it suggests to me the big firms can end up paying more than the spot price if they hedged at the top of the market.

And I'm pretty sure hedging will have a minimum supply quantity that is quite high, and small businesses like City Transport (licensed to operate just 5 PSVs)  would not be in scope.

I'm not sure how they could? If they're awarding a contract based on price, their own budget would be out of control if potentially each contract could fluctuate based on market conditions. I haven't seen a Nexus contract for a good 5 years or so, but I suspect they still have a bit about variations in there, but I believe that's more for improving or fixing the service.

Absolutely, re: hedging, but in this context we're talking about submitting a tender to operate a contract. Even if the price fluctuates downwards, your costings remain accurate for the contracts you have.

City Transport have treated their ALX300 to a repaint, looks quite smart to be fair

J888 CTG tracking on 701 when it is SORN and non compliant?

(25 Apr 2026, 5:18 pm)elefull wrote J888 CTG tracking on 701 when it is SORN and non compliant?

I just saw that tracking too?! 
I’ve just found it’s their last day of service too!

(25 Apr 2026, 5:18 pm)elefull wrote J888 CTG tracking on 701 when it is SORN and non compliant?

Yup, it is on it.

They are no loss.

Looking at their financials, I doubt they’ll be around much longer. Though he seems to have plenty of willing mugs to act as directors

(25 Apr 2026, 5:18 pm)elefull wrote J888 CTG tracking on 701 when it is SORN and non compliant?

From what I can tell, it's duplicating the EvoSeti, most likely to please enthusiasts given it's their last day on the 700/701.

(25 Apr 2026, 5:18 pm)elefull wrote J888 CTG tracking on 701 when it is SORN and non compliant?

If he's literally just taxed it to go out, it can take a day or two for the vehicle check on gov.uk to update.

I suspect it has a PSVAR exemption under 4(f), as it's more than 20 years old, and he's not ran it for more than 20 days this year. 

Whether he has a contractual exemption from Nexus is another matter, but I suspect either party won't bother with the paperwork at this stage of their relationship.

(25 Apr 2026, 7:48 pm)Jimmi wrote From what I can tell, it's duplicating the EvoSeti, most likely to please enthusiasts given it's their last day on the 700/701.

Quite the opposite. I managed to see it at St Peter’s. The EvoSeti was running the 700 and this was on the 701. By the looks of it connect liveried artic was on the 700 but pressed self destruct at the lights on the Wearmouth bridge, left blocking a lane with the hazards on ?

So this was the only one on the 701. Don’t know if it’s been out all day or just a last minute jobby with the merc breaking down ??‍♂️

(25 Apr 2026, 7:51 pm)Adrian wrote If he's literally just taxed it to go out, it can take a day or two for the vehicle check on gov.uk to update.

I suspect it has a PSVAR exemption under 4(f), as it's more than 20 years old, and he's not ran it for more than 20 days this year. 

Whether he has a contractual exemption from Nexus is another matter, but I suspect either party won't bother with the paperwork at this stage of their relationship.

Good riddance to City and hopefully one day Gateshead Cowboys are gone. I m all for new operators but these two are dreadful.

(25 Apr 2026, 7:51 pm)Adrian wrote If he's literally just taxed it to go out, it can take a day or two for the vehicle check on gov.uk to update.

I suspect it has a PSVAR exemption under 4(f), as it's more than 20 years old, and he's not ran it for more than 20 days this year. 

Whether he has a contractual exemption from Nexus is another matter, but I suspect either party won't bother with the paperwork at this stage of their relationship.

To be fair, it'd be a waste of time doing anything. It's clear as day City Transport won't exist very soon and everything will be transferred to the new companies which have just suddenly turned up.

Very dodgy practice imo.

I still don't know what that City Twink Limited actually is, as it's not public transport.

(25 Apr 2026, 7:48 pm)Jimmi wrote From what I can tell, it's duplicating the EvoSeti, most likely to please enthusiasts given it's their last day on the 700/701.

It was for a period but the EvoSeti dropped onto the 700 at about 7pm, with the Olympian seemingly on its own.

(25 Apr 2026, 9:03 pm)Storx wrote I still don't know what that City Twink Limited actually is, as it's not public transport.

Similar to his other company: City Stink, which is what you get with all this bullshit.

(25 Apr 2026, 9:03 pm)Storx wrote I still don't know what that City Twink Limited actually is, as it's not public transport.

Most likely a prank by someone.

(25 Apr 2026, 9:28 pm)F114TML wrote Most likely a prank by someone.

Don't think it's a prank like, as James Fairchild has verified his status on it. Believe you've got to scan your passport and verify it against your face to get approved.

It's bizarre I know that, whatever it is.

https://find-and-update.company-informat...nt-control - The companies house record btw.

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Must say digging around on LinkedIn as I've got nothing to do tonight, City Transport is well dodgy.

Just found the two people who are part of that City Twink;

One is 17 and Operations Manager of City Transport and has zero experience
The other is also 17 and Brand Manager of City Transport and actually does have some experience... as a fire cadet and a paper round.

[removed]

I appreciate this is all stuff in the public domain, but as always, we draw the line at posts getting personal.

I've also removed the link to a LinkedIn profile. Google it, if you're that interested.

(25 Apr 2026, 8:18 pm)MinorBusMan wrote Quite the opposite. I managed to see it at St Peter’s. The EvoSeti was running the 700 and this was on the 701. By the looks of it connect liveried artic was on the 700 but pressed self destruct at the lights on the Wearmouth bridge, left blocking a lane with the hazards on ?

So this was the only one on the 701. Don’t know if it’s been out all day or just a last minute jobby with the merc breaking down ??‍♂️

(25 Apr 2026, 9:04 pm)F114TML wrote It was for a period but the EvoSeti dropped onto the 700 at about 7pm, with the Olympian seemingly on its own.

From what I can see on bustimes at least, 11101 was on the 700 until about lunchtime when I guess it failed, B9TL 5901 eventually replaced it, the EvoSeti looked to be on the 701 but was pulled off to do the last round trip on the 700 leaving the Olympian to do the last few 701 trips.

(25 Apr 2026, 10:42 pm)Jimmi wrote From what I can see on bustimes at least, 11101 was on the 700 until about lunchtime when I guess it failed, B9TL 5901 eventually replaced it, the EvoSeti looked to be on the 701 but was pulled off to do the last round trip on the 700 leaving the Olympian to do the last few 701 trips.

Well certainly an interesting days service to end on. I’ve even seen a vid of what looks to be their alx 300 in a yellow/cream paint job going around the loop at St Peter’s. Appears they’ve put one of everything on for the sake of it

A real ‘man playing with his train set’ on public expenses vibe to the operation today.

That ALX300 (22341) I believe is actually privately owned and just loaned out to City, it's been put into the original PTE livery because... well why not I guess (tbf it does look good, and I guess it's unique).

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(25 Apr 2026, 9:33 pm)Storx wrote Don't think it's a prank like, as James Fairchild has verified his status on it. Believe you've got to scan your passport and verify it against your face to get approved.

It's bizarre I know that, whatever it is.

https://find-and-update.company-informat...nt-control - The companies house record btw.

I assumed that was because he's already verified himself for his previous directorships so it automatically says verified (must admit I haven't much experience).

(25 Apr 2026, 11:59 pm)Ambassador wrote A real ‘man playing with his train set’ on public expenses vibe to the operation today.

Hit the nail on the head with that one 

(Yesterday, 3:52 am)F114TML wrote That ALX300 (22341) I believe is actually privately owned and just loaned out to City, it's been put into the original PTE livery because... well why not I guess (tbf it does look good, and I guess it's unique).

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I assumed that was because he's already verified himself for his previous directorships so it automatically says verified (must admit I haven't much experience).

Oh I see it’s in the PTE colours. That’s good

The CTG tiktok account was posting yesterday showing them bringing a bus “back home” from Germany, but they’ve quoted that same number 22341. They specifically don’t show you what bus it is either. Anyone got any ideas?

(Yesterday, 3:52 am)F114TML wrote I assumed that was because he's already verified himself for his previous directorships so it automatically says verified (must admit I haven't much experience).

Yeah it's a new thing which came in last November, everyone has to do it within a year. It's to try and stop basically what you're suggesting as there's been loads of fraud with people setting up fake companies and just bolting when they've done their fraud without detection especially relating with money laundering.