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Transport chiefs and civic leaders have hailed the success of a new North bus link for bringing huge benefits to passengers on both sides of the Tyne. The Go North East Route 19 service was introduced in September last year by Nexus as part of the Stephenson Link, a corridor-based public transport project to connect employment sites in North Tyneside with the main public transport system. This integrated project has increased access to job opportunities to the wider population of Tyne and Wear, particularly to residents of South Tyneside, say Nexus. The project included a major rebuild of Percy Main Metro station, a new Metro station at Northumberland Park, new ferry landings at North and South Shields and a high quality bus link including extensive bus priority measures. Service R19 has been operating since early September 2004, and during the first six months of operation, passenger numbers have grown by over 44 per cent. Funding and support from North Tyneside, South Tyneside, Nexus and Go North East has made the scheme possible. Nexus Director General, Mike Parker, said: "Our Route 19 service has been successful in fulfilling the objectives of the Stephenson Corridor Project. "An area of significant employment opportunity, which was originally poorly served by public transport, now has an integrated bus service connecting with the wider Tyne and Wear public transport system. "The increasing levels of ridership on the service are very encouraging. Already the service is performing better than was envisaged when the contract to run the service was let, and patronage is still steadily rising." He added: "A primary aim of the Stephenson Link project was to improve access to jobs in the corridor to residents of South Tyneside, an area of relatively high unemployment. "There is evidence that the service is being used by people travelling from this area. R19 has greatly improved the accessibility of these employment centres. It is envisaged that northbound commuting on R19 will increase as more South Tyneside residents take advantage of this improved accessibility. "The opening of a new Metro station at Northumberland Park will significantly improve transfer opportunities at the northern terminus of the route. The new terminus will offer much improved passenger facilities than are currently available at Palmersville. A new terminal point will also allow quicker and easier access to the A19 corridor." Councillor Eddie McAtominey, South Tyneside Council’s Lead Member Corporate Development, said: "There are about 45,000 jobs in the Borough, but nearly twice that number of residents are of working age. It is therefore, welcome news that there are improvements in getting people to work quickly, particularly when that involves travelling outside of the Borough.
"The Council realises that transport to work, especially by public transport, is a vital issue and we are delighted that this new bus link is up and running to serve the Borough’s workforce and its jobseekers."
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