What were we consulting about?
We are seeking customer feedback on our proposal to cancel service K2.
This consultation has now closed, and all feedback received will be reviewed. The final decision on this proposal will be published here.
Why are we considering changes to services?
In March 2022 Nexus carried out a widespread review of local bus services in Newcastle and North Tyneside at a time when commercial companies were making cuts to their own routes. As part of this rescue package we introduced or kept on a number of routes, including this one, with marginal customer numbers. This allowed us to continue to review the route to see if passenger numbers would grow over time. Contracts for bus services that we currently fund in Newcastle and North Tyneside are due to end in March 2023 and we have now looked in detail at how the current contracts are performing. This review has highlighted some services which we consider are no longer offering good value for money due mainly to a long-term change in travel patterns following the pandemic. Cancelling these poorly performing services would allow the limited amount of funding that we have available to be spent on maintaining or improving services in areas that are less able to access alternative bus services.
What changes are we proposing?
We are proposing to cancel service K2 with effect from 26 March 2023.
Service K2 operates hourly Monday – Saturday daytime (0800 – 1715). The route connects Four Lane Ends – Quorum/Balliol Business Parks – West Moor – Forest Hall – Killingworth Village – Killingworth – Greenhills Estate. During September/October 2022 an average of 1 customer per trip travelled on this service.
How would customers be affected by our proposed changes?
Service K2
Most sections of this route are covered by alternative frequent bus services. The nearest alternative facilities from the unique sections of route are summarised in the table below. Some customers may be required to walk longer distances to access alternative services.
Unique sections of route | Alternative facilities |
West Moor (Harriot Drive / Whitecroft Road / Reynolds Avenue) | Walk to A189/Whitehouse Farm (650m) to access services X7/X8. These routes travel to Newcastle City Centre.
Alternatively, walk to Benton Lane/Great Lime Road (650m) to access frequent services 52, 54, 62, 335 or X63. These routes travel to Newcastle City Centre (52/54/62/X63), Four Lane Ends Metro (52/62) or Killingworth Shops (52/54/62/335). |
West Moor (Killingworth Drive / Sharon Close) | Walk to Benton Lane/Great Lime Road (750m) to access frequent services 52, 54, 62, 335 or X63. These routes travel to Newcastle City Centre (52/54/62/X63), Four Lane Ends Metro (52/62) or Killingworth Shops (52/54/62/335). |
Clousden Hill (Killingworth Road) | Walk to Great Lime Road/Station Road North (350m) to access frequent services 53, 55, 62, 335 or 342. These routes travel to Killingworth Shops (53/62/335/342), Forest Hall Shops (53/55/62/335/342) or Newcastle city centre (55/62). |
Greenhills Estate (Greenhills) | Walk to Burradon Front Street (900m) to access services 52, 53, X7/X8 or 342. These routes travel to Newcastle city centre (X7/X8) or Killingworth Shops (52/53/342). |
Your views
This consultation was open from Tuesday 3 January – Monday 30 January 2023. All feedback received on or before 30 January 2023 was taken into consideration.
During the consultation we received 4 responses from customers opposed to our plans and 1 response from a customer in support of our plans. We recognise that the links offered by these services were valued by the customers. However, the number of customers using these services is not at a level that would justify their continued operation.
We have therefore decided to progress our planned changes. Service K2 will be cancelled after the last day of operation on Saturday 25 March 2023.
We appreciate that where services are withdrawn or change a small number of people may have difficulty accessing alternative transport – if you are concerned you will not be able to make a journey contact us at [email protected] or on 0191 2020 747 so we may offer advice and support.
We would like to thank everyone who took the time to provide us with their views.