<![CDATA[North East Buses - North East Mayoral Strategic Authority]]> https://northeastbuses.co.uk/ Mon, 17 Aug 2026 23:34:25 +0000 MyBB <![CDATA[New Forum - What's this about?]]> https://northeastbuses.co.uk/showthread.php?tid=4816 Mon, 17 Aug 2026 20:51:55 +0100 Adrian]]> https://northeastbuses.co.uk/showthread.php?tid=4816
What should go here?
The idea is that any NEMSA project, such as franchising, Metro extension and Shields ferry landing replacement, would go in here. We're also expecting a ramp up in public activity relating to franchising, so in the future, this will also serve as a home to any discussion around future service tenders for the Angel Network.

What doesn't fit?
At present, any Nexus business as usual (BAU) content should remain in the respective sections, e.g. Metro in the railways forum, Nexus tenders in the Infrastructure & Management forum.

Don't worry if you post something in the wrong place, the mod team will move to the best fit.

Hopefully this makes it easier for members to find what they're looking for, and also prevents NEMSA stuff dominating the operator forums.]]>
What should go here?
The idea is that any NEMSA project, such as franchising, Metro extension and Shields ferry landing replacement, would go in here. We're also expecting a ramp up in public activity relating to franchising, so in the future, this will also serve as a home to any discussion around future service tenders for the Angel Network.

What doesn't fit?
At present, any Nexus business as usual (BAU) content should remain in the respective sections, e.g. Metro in the railways forum, Nexus tenders in the Infrastructure & Management forum.

Don't worry if you post something in the wrong place, the mod team will move to the best fit.

Hopefully this makes it easier for members to find what they're looking for, and also prevents NEMSA stuff dominating the operator forums.]]> <![CDATA[Tyne and Wear Metro - Washington Extension Project]]> https://northeastbuses.co.uk/showthread.php?tid=4815 Fri, 14 Aug 2026 14:30:33 +0100 Adrian]]> https://northeastbuses.co.uk/showthread.php?tid=4815 https://nexus.org.uk/who-we-are/projects...ashington/

It has a timeline of what has been taking place up until now, but the key take is that a second round of engagement sessions across Washington and Sunderland will take place during September, which will also coincide with the public announcement of where the proposed station locations and route will be.

Date Time Venue
Tuesday 1 September 4pm – 6pm Washington Millennium Centre, Concord
Saturday 5 September 1.30pm – 4pm Washington Arts Centre, Biddick Lane
Monday 7 September 12.30pm – 4.30pm Fitzgeralds Wardley
Wednesday 9 September 1.30pm – 4pm Tansy Centre, South Hylton
Friday 11 September 12.30pm – 4.30pm Teal Farm Pub, Washington
Saturday 12 September 11am – 2pm North East Land, Sea, Air Museum, Washington
Tuesday 15 September 5.30pm – 7pm Sunderland College, City Campus
Wednesday 16 September 10am – 1pm Washington Arts Centre, Biddick Lane
Saturday 19 September 10.30am – 1.30pm The Galleries, Washington
Tuesday 22 September 5.30pm – 7pm Columbia Village Community Centre, Washington
Wednesday 23 September 10am – 12pm Tansy Centre, South Hylton
Friday 25 September 8.30am – 10.30am Pelaw Metro Station
Friday 25 September 5pm – 7pm Pelaw Metro Station
Saturday 26 September 10.30am – 1.30pm The Bridges Shopping Centre, Sunderland
]]> https://nexus.org.uk/who-we-are/projects...ashington/

It has a timeline of what has been taking place up until now, but the key take is that a second round of engagement sessions across Washington and Sunderland will take place during September, which will also coincide with the public announcement of where the proposed station locations and route will be.

Date Time Venue
Tuesday 1 September 4pm – 6pm Washington Millennium Centre, Concord
Saturday 5 September 1.30pm – 4pm Washington Arts Centre, Biddick Lane
Monday 7 September 12.30pm – 4.30pm Fitzgeralds Wardley
Wednesday 9 September 1.30pm – 4pm Tansy Centre, South Hylton
Friday 11 September 12.30pm – 4.30pm Teal Farm Pub, Washington
Saturday 12 September 11am – 2pm North East Land, Sea, Air Museum, Washington
Tuesday 15 September 5.30pm – 7pm Sunderland College, City Campus
Wednesday 16 September 10am – 1pm Washington Arts Centre, Biddick Lane
Saturday 19 September 10.30am – 1.30pm The Galleries, Washington
Tuesday 22 September 5.30pm – 7pm Columbia Village Community Centre, Washington
Wednesday 23 September 10am – 12pm Tansy Centre, South Hylton
Friday 25 September 8.30am – 10.30am Pelaw Metro Station
Friday 25 September 5pm – 7pm Pelaw Metro Station
Saturday 26 September 10.30am – 1.30pm The Bridges Shopping Centre, Sunderland
]]> <![CDATA[£2 bus fares from January 2027]]> https://northeastbuses.co.uk/showthread.php?tid=4800 Wed, 22 Jul 2026 20:02:06 +0100 Adrian]]> https://northeastbuses.co.uk/showthread.php?tid=4800
Single bus fares in England to be capped at £2 for 2027
https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/2...nuary-2027

GOV.uk wroteI wish to inform the House that the government is today (22 July 2026) announcing single bus tickets will be capped at £2 in England outside London from 1 January until 31 December 2027. This measure will mean millions of passengers could save up to a third off a single journey, helping with the cost of everyday travel and supporting access to work, education, healthcare and leisure.

The new £2 cap is backed by £400 million of extra government funding. This action to ease the cost of living is being funded by savings from reprioritising the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero’s budget, including by switching funding for international climate from grants to loans.

The scheme will replace the existing £3 fare cap and ensure that eligible single bus fares on participating services cost no more than £2. It will particularly benefit passengers making longer distance journeys, including those in rural and coastal communities, where fares can often be significantly higher.

Today’s announcement sits alongside the government’s wider investment in buses. Earlier this year, we announced over £100 million of additional support for the bus sector, including free bus travel for children aged 5 to 15 on participating services in August as part of the Great British Summer Savings Scheme. This investment also includes funding for local transport authorities and bus operators to address rising costs in the sector, helping to maintain services and keep fares affordable. We have today confirmed the individual allocations local transport authorities will receive.

The government recognises that affordable fares are only one part of delivering better bus services. We have already committed more than £3 billion for buses over the next 3 years, alongside significant reforms through the Bus Services Act 2025. These reforms give local transport authorities greater powers and flexibility to shape bus services around the needs of their communities, whether through franchising, enhanced partnerships or other locally led approaches.

This government is committed to ensuring that buses remain affordable, reliable and accessible. By reducing fares, supporting local transport authorities and providing long-term funding certainty, we are helping people stay connected to opportunities, supporting local economies and laying the foundations for stronger bus networks across the country.

Published 22 July 2026

This can only be good news for bus users. It was a mistake to increase it to £3 whilst there's a lot of work around the country to set up franchising schemes, so hopefully this one will end up being extended further to cover the gap.

Of course, specific to NEMSA, this should free up some BSIP money that was subsidising the extra 50p off. That was forecast around £6.08m alone for 2025, from the last figures I had sight of.]]>
Single bus fares in England to be capped at £2 for 2027
https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/2...nuary-2027

GOV.uk wroteI wish to inform the House that the government is today (22 July 2026) announcing single bus tickets will be capped at £2 in England outside London from 1 January until 31 December 2027. This measure will mean millions of passengers could save up to a third off a single journey, helping with the cost of everyday travel and supporting access to work, education, healthcare and leisure.

The new £2 cap is backed by £400 million of extra government funding. This action to ease the cost of living is being funded by savings from reprioritising the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero’s budget, including by switching funding for international climate from grants to loans.

The scheme will replace the existing £3 fare cap and ensure that eligible single bus fares on participating services cost no more than £2. It will particularly benefit passengers making longer distance journeys, including those in rural and coastal communities, where fares can often be significantly higher.

Today’s announcement sits alongside the government’s wider investment in buses. Earlier this year, we announced over £100 million of additional support for the bus sector, including free bus travel for children aged 5 to 15 on participating services in August as part of the Great British Summer Savings Scheme. This investment also includes funding for local transport authorities and bus operators to address rising costs in the sector, helping to maintain services and keep fares affordable. We have today confirmed the individual allocations local transport authorities will receive.

The government recognises that affordable fares are only one part of delivering better bus services. We have already committed more than £3 billion for buses over the next 3 years, alongside significant reforms through the Bus Services Act 2025. These reforms give local transport authorities greater powers and flexibility to shape bus services around the needs of their communities, whether through franchising, enhanced partnerships or other locally led approaches.

This government is committed to ensuring that buses remain affordable, reliable and accessible. By reducing fares, supporting local transport authorities and providing long-term funding certainty, we are helping people stay connected to opportunities, supporting local economies and laying the foundations for stronger bus networks across the country.

Published 22 July 2026

This can only be good news for bus users. It was a mistake to increase it to £3 whilst there's a lot of work around the country to set up franchising schemes, so hopefully this one will end up being extended further to cover the gap.

Of course, specific to NEMSA, this should free up some BSIP money that was subsidising the extra 50p off. That was forecast around £6.08m alone for 2025, from the last figures I had sight of.]]> <![CDATA[Angel Network livery concepts]]> https://northeastbuses.co.uk/showthread.php?tid=4743 Fri, 01 May 2026 17:59:11 +0100 Malarkey]]> https://northeastbuses.co.uk/showthread.php?tid=4743
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]]> <![CDATA[North East Combined Authority]]> https://northeastbuses.co.uk/showthread.php?tid=4615 Tue, 28 Jan 2025 12:15:31 +0000 Adrian]]> https://northeastbuses.co.uk/showthread.php?tid=4615
"In addition to the introduction of the NECA adult single bus fare cap, the following BSIP fare caps
are proposed for the period 1 April 2025 to 31 December 2025: 
• The £1 single fare and £3 daily cap for people aged 21 be retained at the existing price points. This is estimated to cost £14.5m for April to December 2025;
• Adult multi-modal daily caps to be adjusted to £5 for Durham (from £4), £6 for Northumberland (from £5), £6.80 for Tyne and Wear (from £6), and £7.50 for the entire  North East CA area (from £6.80).
Cabinet is asked to approve the revised levels of these fare caps, at an estimated cost of £4.4m for April to December 2025."

Source: 14.4 - Page 15 - https://www.northeast-ca.gov.uk/download...y-2025.pdf

It's really disappointing to see these fares raised so soon after the tickets were launched, but I think their hands have been somewhat forced by the single-fare cap being raised, and then refusing to fully support the difference (per other MCAs). Durham at £4 is currently cheaper than two singles. 

I'd have actually liked to see some proper forecasting on fare increases, or a commitment to cap the %, instead of this almost reactive annual process that we've experienced in the commercial world. The Northumberland ticket being £6 or the Regionwide ticket now being £7.50 suddenly doesn't sound as attractive!

The same report also highlights how significant BSIP funding has become, and what it's costing us: "Secured bus services, where BSIP funding significantly augments existing levy-funded budgets. 47% of secured bus mileage in the North East is funded by BSIP revenue funding, at a cost of approximately £16 million per annum. This equates to 12% of the total bus network being reliant on BSIP revenue funding."

More worryingly, there's a highlighted risk of funding beyond 2025-26. The report states:

"Whilst BSIP funding has been confirmed until March 2026, funding from that point onwards is less clear:
• Post-BSIP revenue funding for buses is currently under consideration by the Government.
• The Government’s forthcoming Spending Review is expected to address the problem.
• It is also possible, but far from certain, that the discussion becomes related to single settlement and/or CRSTS2.
• There may be some residual BSIP revenue funds to rollover further into 2026-27, subject to DfT approval."

Not only does this present a risk for the future of the BSIP multi-modal tickets; originally this was a two-year arrangement (2023-25, albeit a lengthy delay to actually launch them), so this is effectively the first annual extension, but it also presents a cliff-edge for a lot of services. I think as we've seen with the minute the £2 cap was raised, some operators won't think twice about swinging the axe about.]]>
"In addition to the introduction of the NECA adult single bus fare cap, the following BSIP fare caps
are proposed for the period 1 April 2025 to 31 December 2025: 
• The £1 single fare and £3 daily cap for people aged 21 be retained at the existing price points. This is estimated to cost £14.5m for April to December 2025;
• Adult multi-modal daily caps to be adjusted to £5 for Durham (from £4), £6 for Northumberland (from £5), £6.80 for Tyne and Wear (from £6), and £7.50 for the entire  North East CA area (from £6.80).
Cabinet is asked to approve the revised levels of these fare caps, at an estimated cost of £4.4m for April to December 2025."

Source: 14.4 - Page 15 - https://www.northeast-ca.gov.uk/download...y-2025.pdf

It's really disappointing to see these fares raised so soon after the tickets were launched, but I think their hands have been somewhat forced by the single-fare cap being raised, and then refusing to fully support the difference (per other MCAs). Durham at £4 is currently cheaper than two singles. 

I'd have actually liked to see some proper forecasting on fare increases, or a commitment to cap the %, instead of this almost reactive annual process that we've experienced in the commercial world. The Northumberland ticket being £6 or the Regionwide ticket now being £7.50 suddenly doesn't sound as attractive!

The same report also highlights how significant BSIP funding has become, and what it's costing us: "Secured bus services, where BSIP funding significantly augments existing levy-funded budgets. 47% of secured bus mileage in the North East is funded by BSIP revenue funding, at a cost of approximately £16 million per annum. This equates to 12% of the total bus network being reliant on BSIP revenue funding."

More worryingly, there's a highlighted risk of funding beyond 2025-26. The report states:

"Whilst BSIP funding has been confirmed until March 2026, funding from that point onwards is less clear:
• Post-BSIP revenue funding for buses is currently under consideration by the Government.
• The Government’s forthcoming Spending Review is expected to address the problem.
• It is also possible, but far from certain, that the discussion becomes related to single settlement and/or CRSTS2.
• There may be some residual BSIP revenue funds to rollover further into 2026-27, subject to DfT approval."

Not only does this present a risk for the future of the BSIP multi-modal tickets; originally this was a two-year arrangement (2023-25, albeit a lengthy delay to actually launch them), so this is effectively the first annual extension, but it also presents a cliff-edge for a lot of services. I think as we've seen with the minute the £2 cap was raised, some operators won't think twice about swinging the axe about.]]> <![CDATA[North East Region Bus Franchising Scheme]]> https://northeastbuses.co.uk/showthread.php?tid=4559 Wed, 24 Jul 2024 21:06:41 +0100 Adrian]]> https://northeastbuses.co.uk/showthread.php?tid=4559
It looks like the NECA Cabinet on 30th July will agree to issue a notice of intent to prepare a Franchising Scheme Assessment (FSA). This is a legal step that the authority needs to take.

The report is extensive and covered in page 73 to 313 of the agenda pack: https://www.northeast-ca.gov.uk/download...-07-24.pdf

The Chronicle has also done a write up, wirh their usual tabloid style headlining: https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/nor...t-29606117

Interestingly, Go North East and Arriva seem to now be in full support. Oh how times change!]]>
It looks like the NECA Cabinet on 30th July will agree to issue a notice of intent to prepare a Franchising Scheme Assessment (FSA). This is a legal step that the authority needs to take.

The report is extensive and covered in page 73 to 313 of the agenda pack: https://www.northeast-ca.gov.uk/download...-07-24.pdf

The Chronicle has also done a write up, wirh their usual tabloid style headlining: https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/nor...t-29606117

Interestingly, Go North East and Arriva seem to now be in full support. Oh how times change!]]> <![CDATA[BSIP Improvement Suggestions]]> https://northeastbuses.co.uk/showthread.php?tid=4486 Sun, 11 Feb 2024 20:47:41 +0000 Storx]]> https://northeastbuses.co.uk/showthread.php?tid=4486
Some suggestions, mostly in Durham, from me:

1: Crook terminator extended to Stanhope via 101 route, 101 scrapped
6: Extended to Barnard Castle from Cockfield hourly, 85 scrapped
25/725: Merged to restore old route.
56: Upped to 2 BPH throughout and Sunday / evening service restored
X46: Extended to Stanhope every hour via it's one a day extension.
X46: Extended to Newcastle every hour and combined with X12 for 2 BPH.
N/A: Sedgefield to Newton Aycliffe, unsure on this one.

New direct links formed:
Barnard Castle to Durham
Stanhope / Tow Law to Durham
Langley Park to Newcastle
Crook to Newcastle
Darlington / Shildon to Stanhope]]>
Some suggestions, mostly in Durham, from me:

1: Crook terminator extended to Stanhope via 101 route, 101 scrapped
6: Extended to Barnard Castle from Cockfield hourly, 85 scrapped
25/725: Merged to restore old route.
56: Upped to 2 BPH throughout and Sunday / evening service restored
X46: Extended to Stanhope every hour via it's one a day extension.
X46: Extended to Newcastle every hour and combined with X12 for 2 BPH.
N/A: Sedgefield to Newton Aycliffe, unsure on this one.

New direct links formed:
Barnard Castle to Durham
Stanhope / Tow Law to Durham
Langley Park to Newcastle
Crook to Newcastle
Darlington / Shildon to Stanhope]]> <![CDATA[Leamside Line]]> https://northeastbuses.co.uk/showthread.php?tid=726 Tue, 29 Oct 2013 03:30:27 +0000 MrFozz]]> https://northeastbuses.co.uk/showthread.php?tid=726
My opinion is it should, especially for freight coming from Tyne Dock and as Nissan is close to the line that could become a way for moving it's gear, it would take traffic off the ECML and Durham Coast, it could even be opened up for passenger services between Tyneside and Teesside, and new Commuter Interchanges could be added at Washington and Durham(Belmont Park and Ride)...More localised services could be utilised for more direct services from Newcastle to Middlesbrough without having to goto Darlington or Hartlepool first, with the Stillington Branch being utilised to achieve this, it could also be a good diversion route for East Coast, XC, TPE or Northern when engineering is happening on the ECML or Durham Coast line...

what is you guys opinions]]>
My opinion is it should, especially for freight coming from Tyne Dock and as Nissan is close to the line that could become a way for moving it's gear, it would take traffic off the ECML and Durham Coast, it could even be opened up for passenger services between Tyneside and Teesside, and new Commuter Interchanges could be added at Washington and Durham(Belmont Park and Ride)...More localised services could be utilised for more direct services from Newcastle to Middlesbrough without having to goto Darlington or Hartlepool first, with the Stillington Branch being utilised to achieve this, it could also be a good diversion route for East Coast, XC, TPE or Northern when engineering is happening on the ECML or Durham Coast line...

what is you guys opinions]]>