What were we consulting about?
We are seeking customer feedback on our proposal to cancel services 552 and M6.
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 services 552 and M6 with effect from 26 March 2023.
Service 552 operates Monday – Friday only with a limited number of trips in the AM/PM peaks. The route connects Regent Centre Interchange – South Gosforth Metro – Benton Park View – Four Lane Ends Interchange – Tyneview Park. During September/October 2022 an average of 3 customers per trip travelled on this service.
Service M6 operates up to every 30 minutes, Monday – Saturday daytime (0910 – 1530). The route connects Jesmond Vale – Shieldfield – City Centre – RVI. During September/October 2022 an average of 2 customers per trip travelled on this service.
How would customers be affected by our proposed changes?
Service 552
All sections of this route are covered by alternative bus services and/or the Metro. Some customers may be required to transfer between buses or bus-Metro to make alternative trips. Some customers may be required to purchase multi-modal tickets which are more expensive than the fares currently paid. The table below shows the alternative provision available for trips currently made on service 552.
Trip | Alternative |
Regent Centre Interchange – South Gosforth Metro / Four Lane Ends Interchange | Frequent Metro services connect these stations (customers required to change platform and transfer between trains at South Gosforth). |
Regent Centre – Benton Park View | Frequent Metro services available to/from Longbenton which is short walk from Benton Park View (customers required to change platform and transfer between trains at South Gosforth) |
Regent Centre/ – Tyneview Park | Frequent Metro services available to/from Benton which is within walking distance from Tyneview Park (customers required to change platform and transfer between trains at South Gosforth). |
Four Lane Ends – Tyneview Park | Stagecoach’s service 68 provides a frequent shuttle service between FLE – Tyneview Park during the AM/PM peak. |
Service M6
Except for some local estate roads in Jesmond Vale, all bus stops on this route are covered by alternative bus services. The table below summarises the alternative provision available.
Trip | Alternative |
Vale House – City Centre/RVI | Walk to/from Springbank Road/Blue Bell (350m) to access services 32/32a which provide direct links to City Centre and RVI up to every 30 minutes Monday – Saturday daytime and hourly Sunday daytime.
Alternatively, walk to/from Cradlewell (500m) for access to frequent services 38, 51, 52, 306/308, 309/310/311 and X39. These routes travel to/from St Mary’s Place or Haymarket Bus Station in the city centre. The RVI is just a short walk from Haymarket Bus Station. |
Sandyford – City Centre/RVI | Bus stops in Sandyford are served by the same services which serve Cradlewell (see above) providing frequent connections to/from the city centre. |
Shieldfield – City Centre/RVI | Bus stops in Shieldfield are served by services 32/32a which provide direct links to the City Centre (Blackett Street) and/or the RVI. These services are also funded by Nexus and operate up to every 30 minutes Monday – Saturday daytime and hourly Sunday daytime. |
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 16 responses from customers opposed to the cancellation of service M6 and 1 response from a customer opposed to the cancellation of service 552. 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 552 will be cancelled after the last day of operation on Friday 24 March 2023 and service M6 will be cancelled after the last day of operation on Saturday 25 March 2023.
During consultation local councillors highlighted the existence of a community transport ‘shopper’ service which provide journeys for people living in Vale House. Nexus will get in touch with councillors to discuss ways we might support and enhance this service as an alternative to the M6.
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.