 Nexus invested £1.9 million in 2006/7 commissioning a new vessel for the Shields Ferry crossing at the mouth of the Tyne, used by 500,000 passengers every year. The Spirit of the Tyne entered services in spring 2007 after being officially named by Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal. Spirit of the Tyne replaces the 30-year-old Shieldsman and will be one of two vessels working the crossing alongside the Pride of the Tyne. Nexus has invested more than £5 million over the last decade in the Shields Ferry, providing new landing stages at North Shields and South Shields in addition to the new vessel. The Shields Ferry service connects with other public transport on both sides of the Tyne and is important to the riverside economies, particularly South Shields town centre retail and market, and growing business parks in North Tyneside. The Ferry is the southern end of Route 19, a high-quality bus service that links it with Royal Quays, Cobalt and Silverlink business parks and Metro at Percy Main and Northumberland Park.
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