What are we consulting about?
We are seeking customer feedback on our proposal to retime the evening and Sunday trips on services 81, 83, 84, 85 by 15 minutes and cancel last trips on services 83 and 84.
Why are we considering changes to services?
In July 2022 Nexus carried out a widespread review of local bus services in Gateshead, South Tyneside and Sunderland at a time when commercial companies were making cuts to their own routes. As part of this rescue package we introduced or kept on several 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 Gateshead, South Tyneside and Sunderland are due to end in May 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. Revising or 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?
Following existing customer feedback received, we are proposing to retime these trips by 15 minutes in aim to improve connections with other bus services at Washington Galleries bus station.
Service 81
On a daily evening the bus currently departs Washington Galleries (towards Gateshead) at 21 minutes past the hour and departs Gateshead (towards Washington Galleries) at 14 minutes past the hour. On a Sunday daytime the service additionally extends between Washington Galleries to Sunderland, departing Sunderland at 47 minutes past the hour.
In addition, the last trips on a Sunday daytime from Washington Galleries at 1607 (towards Sunderland) and Sunderland (towards Washington Galleries) at 1647 will be withdrawn (see consultation on revised service 83 for provision between Washington Galleries and Waterview Park at these times).
Service 83
On a daily evening the bus currently departs Washington Galleries (towards Waterview Park) at 07 minutes past the hour and departs Waterview Park (towards Washington Galleries) at 27 minutes past the hour.
We are proposing to cancel the daily 2307 trip from Washington Galleries (towards Waterview Park) and the 2327 trip from Waterview Park (towards Washington Galleries). During September 2022 an average of 1 customer travelled on these trips.
In addition, earlier trips on a Sunday daytime from Washington Galleries at 1622 (towards Waterview Park) and Waterview Park (towards Washington Galleries) at 1642 would be introduced to maintain service provision due to the withdrawal of some trips on service 81 at these times.
Service 84
On a daily evening the bus currently departs Washington Galleries (towards Concord) at 48 minutes past the hour and most trips depart Concord (towards Washington Galleries) at 54 minutes past the hour.
We are proposing to cancel the daily 2347 trip from Concord (towards Washington Galleries) and the 2348 trip from Washington Galleries (towards Concord). During September 2022 an average of 1 customer travelled on these trips.
Service 85
The first secured bus on a Monday – Saturday evening departing Washington Galleries (towards Concord) would be at 1842, followed by departures from Concord (towards Washington Galleries and Concord) at 1923, then at 23 minutes past the hour until 2223, followed by the last trip at 2320.
The first secured bus on a Sunday evening departing Concord (towards Washington Galleries and Concord) would be at 1623, then at 23 minutes past the hour until 2223, followed by the last trip at 2320.
How would customers be affected by our proposed changes?
Existing customers travelling on services 81, 83, 84 and 85 would be required to arrive approximately 15 minutes earlier than current at their stop location.
By introducing these changes, we aim to reduce waiting times at Washington Galleries bus station for those customers making an interchange. In addition, this change will aim to improve the co-ordination of bus services between Washington Galleries and Biddick on a daily evening in both directions on services 84 and 85. Washington Galleries, Lambton and Ayton on a daily evening and Sunday daytime on service 81.
Service 81
The first bus on a Monday – Saturday evening departing Washington Galleries (towards Gateshead) would be at 1836, then at 36 minutes past the hour until 2336 (with this last trip terminating at Birtley). The first bus on a Monday – Saturday evening departing Gateshead (towards Washington Galleries) would be at 1929, then at 29 minutes past the hour until 2329.
The first bus on a Sunday daytime departing Washington Galleries (towards Wrekenton) would be at 0816, followed by a trip departing Barmston Court (towards Gateshead) at 0924. Trips would then depart Sunderland (towards Gateshead) at 1002, then at 02 minutes past the hour until 1602. Evening trips departing Washington Galleries (towards Gateshead) would commence at 1736, then at 36 minutes past the hour until 2336 (with this last trip terminating at Birtley).
The first bus on a Sunday daytime departing Birtley (towards Washington Galleries) would be at 0750, followed by trips departing Wrekenton (towards Sunderland) at 0850 and 0950. Trips would then depart Gateshead (towards Sunderland) at 1029, then at 29 minutes past the hour until 1429. Evening trips departing Gateshead (towards Washington Galleries) would commence at 1529, then at 29 minutes past the hour until 2329.
Service 83
The first bus on a Monday – Saturday evening departing Washington Galleries (towards Waterview Park) would be at 1812, then at 22 minutes past the hour until 2222. The first bus on a Monday - Saturday evening departing Waterview Park (towards Washington Galleries) would be at 1832, then at 42 minutes past the hour until 2242.
The first bus on a Sunday evening departing Washington Galleries (towards Waterview Park) would be at 1622, then at 22 minutes past the hour until 2222. The first bus on a Sunday evening departing Waterview Park (towards Washington Galleries) would be at 1642, then at 42 minutes past the hour until 2242.
Service 84
The first secured bus on a Monday – Saturday evening departing Washington Galleries (towards Concord) would be at 1903, then at 03 minutes past the hour until 2303. The first secured bus on a Monday - Saturday evening departing Concord (towards Washington Galleries) would be at 1909, then at 09 minutes past the hour until 2209, followed by the last trip at 2305.
The first secured bus on a Sunday evening departing Washington Galleries (towards Concord) would be at 1803, then at 03 minutes past the hour until 2303. The first secured bus on a Monday - Saturday evening departing Concord (towards Washington Galleries) would be at 1709, then at 09 minutes past the hour until 2209, followed by the last trip at 2305.
Service 85
The first secured bus on a Monday – Saturday evening departing Washington Galleries (towards Concord) would be at 1842, followed by departures from Concord (towards Washington Galleries and Concord) at 1923, then at 23 minutes past the hour until 2223, followed by the last trip at 2320.
The first secured bus on a Sunday evening departing Concord (towards Washington Galleries and Concord) would be at 1623, then at 23 minutes past the hour until 2223, followed by the last trip at 2320.
Your views?
This consultation was open from Wednesday 15 February – Wednesday 8 March 2023. All feedback received on or before Wednesday 8 March 2023 was taken into consideration.
Service 81
During this consultation we received 4 responses from customers. 1 customer was supportive of our proposed changes and 3 customers suggested feedback, however these were neither supportive or opposed.
In view of the feedback received we have decided to progress with our planned changes.
The new timetable will be effective from Sunday 14 May 2023.
We would like to thank everyone who took the time to provide us with their views.
Service 83
During this consultation we received 3 responses from customers suggesting alternatives that were neither supportive or opposed.
In view of the feedback received we have decided to progress with our planned changes.
The new timetable will be effective from Sunday 14 May 2023, further minor timing changes will be implemented with trips from Waterview Park departing at 45 minutes past the hour.
We would like to thank everyone who took the time to provide us with their views.
Service 84
During this consultation we received 3 responses from customers. 1 customer was supportive of our proposed changes and 2 customers suggested feedback, however these were neither supportive or opposed.
In view of the feedback received we have decided to progress with our planned changes.
The new timetable will be effective from Sunday 14 May 2023, further minor timing changes will be implemented with trips from Washington Galleries departing at 05 minutes past the hour and Concord at 09 minutes past the hour.
We would like to thank everyone who took the time to provide us with their views.
Service 85
During this consultation we received 3 responses from customers suggesting feedback, however these were neither supportive or opposed.
In view of the feedback received we have decided to progress with our planned changes.
The new timetable will be effective from Sunday 14 May 2023, further minor timing changes will be implemented with trips from Washington Galleries departing at 43 minutes past the hour and Concord at 24 minutes past the hour.
We would like to thank everyone who took the time to provide us with their views.
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.