Nexus is making big changes to the local bus services it provides in Newcastle and North Tyneside using funds from local authorities.
More than a dozen new or improved routes will be launched from Sunday 27 March, improving local links to shops, health services and places of work.
The new services also increase the number of buses running in the evening and on Sundays.
Full timetables for new and improved routes can be found in our timetables section, by clicking through from 'networks updates' on the home page.
The changes are being made following a consultation with local people last year, in which thousands gave their views at community meetings and online.
Tobyn Hughes, Director of Customer Services for Nexus, said: “We set out to address the two main concerns for bus users – they want buses that get passengers where they want to go, at the right times for them.
“We concentrated our changes on the 10% of bus services subsidised by Nexus using funds from local authorities, but made sure our plans complent the other 90% of services, which are provided commercially by private operators to their own routes and timetables.
“Our plans have been revised in response to the feedback we received during the consultation. We would like to thank everyone who took the time and effort to provide us with their views on how bus services could be improved.
“The ITA asked us to provide better value for the money it puts into bus services on behalf of local councils, and to make sure we did so by talking to customers. We are pleased that we have been able to achieve this despite the tough economic climate which has seen big cuts to everyones' budgets - including ours.”
Buses are to receive a new brand livery on routes where Nexus subsidise the whole journey at all times of day, making them easier to recognise.
Some existing local bus services are being changed or withdrawn by Nexus and commercial operators at the same time as the changes, on 27 March.
Nexus is advising local people to check its website www.nexus.org.uk, call North East Traveline on 0871 200 2233 or visit a Nexus Travelshop to find out how new services may benefit them or replace existing services.
Full timetable information will be available from Monday, 21 March, but the key changes include:
- New route 3 from Broomfield Avenue (Battle Hill) to the Freeman Hospital via Wallsend, Walkergate and High Heaton, extending to Regent Centre via South Gosforth Metro at peak times (in part replacing 399).
- New route 4 from Callerton to Metrocentre via Westerhope and West Denton, Blakelaw, Cowgate and Scotswood.
- New route 13 to link Newburn, Throckley, Lemington and Walbottle with West Denton shops.
- Improvements to existing Newcastle services including additional evening and weekend journeys on routes 18 and 33.
- Improvements to existing services including additional evening and weekend journeys on service 85A/86A (to also replace service 1/2 journeys at these times between North Shields and Whitley Bay) and W1/W2.
- A new route 335 from Four Lane Ends to Cobalt Business Park via High Farm, Battle Hill and Hadrian Park.
- A new route 353 to replace services 3 and 350/351 between Four Lane Ends and Kingston Park via Forest Hall, Killingworth, Burradon, Dudley, Seaton Burn, Wideopen and Newcastle Airport.
- Improved local services W1/W1A, W2 and W3 in Whitley Bay to replace the existing ‘W’ routes.
- Some timetable and/or route revisions for services 1/2, 32/32A, 33, 35, 59, 319, 333 (incorporating TB300), K1 and K2.
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