Tyne & Wear Progress?

Bus companies operating across the Tyne & Wear, Northumberland and Co Durham region have welcomed an invitation from Nexus to hold a series of workshops aimed at hammering out a deal to give passengers in Tyne and Wear improved bus services.

The workshops will explore how operators, Nexus and the local authorities can work in
partnership to deliver improvements including investment in Tyne and Wear’s bus fleet,
improving reliability and journey times, new ‘smart’ ticketing, a new customer charter for
bus users and better value fares.
Kevin Carr, chair of the North East Bus Operators’ Association, said: “These workshops should provide an opportunity for Nexus, local councils and all the key players in public transport to fully engage with bus operators and participate in the process of developing a partnership agreement.
“I firmly believe that we are making some very real progress towards a partnership that
delivers the ITA’s bus strategy in an affordable and effective way. It’s great news for
passengers.”

NEBOA’s partnership offer already includes fares deals for 16-18 year olds, a new ‘Bus2Bus’ ticket and proposals that will produce savings for local authorities and the operators are keen to find ways that the proposal can be further developed.
The proposal would establish Partnership Boards in each area of Tyne and Wear that would ensure that the best possible services are provided across the county.
Kevin Carr said: “We already operate two successful partnerships, in East Gateshead and South Tyneside, which have provided us with considerable experience of using the
partnership approach. A county-wide partnership would reap benefits for local councils and, most importantly, our passengers.”