South Tyneside Council leader Iain Malcom is urging local people to use a new taxi-bus service created as part of the borough’s Better Bus Network.
The TB 504 runs hourly evenings and Sundays from South Shields town centre via Laygate, Commercial Road and Boldon Lane to South Tyneside Hospital then on through Harton Nook to Horsley Hill Square.
It forms one part of the Better Bus Network, launched on 13 June to deliver improvements to bus services right across Tyne and Wear.
Cllr Malcolm said: “The TB 504 provides vital lifeline for parts of South Shields where public transport is scarce on evenings and Sundays.
“I have worked on behalf of local people to get this Nexus-funded service put in place, now its up to everyone to make sure its well used.
“If you’re heading out think about the TB 504 – after all its basically a taxi but for the price of a bus, and free for concessionary pass holders!”
Taxi-buses operate just like normal buses with the same fares and concessionary travel schemes, but using smaller vehicles because the number of people they are likely to carry is small.
The TB 504 is provided by Nexus using public subsidy to meet areas of small but acute demand for public transport, and is operated by Eurocars.
Full details of the routes and times can be found on the Nexus website www.nexus.org.uk or by calling North East Traveline on 0871 200 22 33.
Tobyn Hughes, Nexus Director of Strategy, said: “This new taxi-bus routes is part of a wider commitment to help people get to the key places in their day to day lives.”
The Better Bus Network was launched following a detailed consultation with local people on where and when they wanted to travel. Nexus held consultation events across South Tyneside and bus operators conducted their own surveys.
The result is a network in which Nexus has worked together with each operator to plan a mix of commercially-operated and publicly-funded bus services that knit together to ensure the whole community has the best possible service, meeting the local area plans South Tyneside Council has for the borough.
The Better Bus Network delivers improved bus services right across the borough, including more evening and weekend journeys.
There are also improved links between local neighbourhoods, South Tyneside Hospital and other community health, shopping and leisure destinations.
In the picture are South Tyneside Council leader Iain Malcolm and Integrated Transport Authority member Cllr Audrey MacMillan get to see the new taxi-bus in Horsley Hill Square, South Shields.