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Nexus steps in to secure future of Route 59 (21/12/2005)
Nexus has stepped in to secure the future of a long-standing bus service in North Tyneside. The passenger transport executive will subsidise the operation of the 59 route between Whitley Bay and Backworth from January, after the existing commercial operator pulled out. And the route of the 59 - to be operated under contract by Go Gateshead - will be altered to include the new Northumberland Park Metro station, near Backworth, which opened earlier this month. This will allow passengers to connect with Metro and the fast growing Route 19 bus service, set up last year linking the Metro with the Cobalt and Silverlink business parks and running on to Royal Quays and North Shields ferry landing. The contract also ensures the route will operate with modern low-floor easy access buses, instead of the current mini buses. Bernard Garner, Nexus Development Director, said: "The 59 is a long-standing bus service and when the commercial operator withdrew Nexus decided there was a case for securing its future through subsidy. "A small change in the route means the service will now serve Northumberland Park station, giving people along the route access to a much wider range of destinations for work, shopping and leisure. "This fits with the aims of Nexus in using secured services to increase social inclusion by connecting communities to public transport." Background The 59 service, currently operated by Arriva Northumbria, runs hourly between Whitley Bay and Backworth, serving North Tyneside General Hospital, Shiremoor, and from January 9 Northumberland Park. The new secured service contract runs until September 2006 to enable an assessment to be made of usage and the potential for improved feeder facilities at Northumberland Park. Nexus currently has 209 secured bus contracts with operators, serving communities across Tyne and Wear. These range to securing the operation of whole routes to making sure services are provided at certain times of low demand but high social need, such as early mornings or weekends.
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