What are we consulting about?
We are seeking views on extending the operating hours of service 643 service.
Why are we considering changes to this service?
NEXUS has received several requests from stakeholders to extend the operating hours of the service to give more flexibility to users.
What changes are we proposing?
The current service operates between 08:46 and 14:44 on a Monday to Saturday basis. The current and previous operators of the service usually use a vehicle allocated to run scholars’ at times when the 643 doesn’t run.
This has kept the cost of running the 643 service low, and therefore viable to operate in its present form.
If we were to procure an hourly service through the day, this will inevitably incur the cost of a full bus as a prospective operator would need to source another vehicle to fulfil a scholar’s service or the additional journeys for the 643 during the afternoon peak. This would put the viability of the entire service at risk at a time when our budget to support secured services is very tight.
We therefore propose to add an additional trip to the timetable, after operators have fulfilled schools/works services obligations at 16:38 from Metrocentre ASDA (16:46 from Metrocentre Bus Station) to Sunniside Kingsway on a Monday to Friday basis.
The current operating hours will apply on Saturday.
We also propose to make very minor changes to the overall timetable to improve timekeeping.
Due to difficulties accessing the IKEA stop early in the morning, the 09:15 service from Metrocentre ASDA will run direct to Metrocentre Interchange and will NOT call at IKEA, Long Rigg or Metro Oasis. All other trips will operate the current route. This service will also operate 5 minutes later at 09:20.
You can preview the proposed revised timetable below
MF-Monday to Friday only
How would customers be affected by our proposed changes?
It is hoped the addition of an additional early evening trip from Metrocentre to Sunniside will help those users where there is not a Commercial alternative available later in the afternoon and Go North East services 1, 6 and X73 still provide alternatives to common sections of the 643 route.
How can stakeholders get in touch about this proposal?
Before we make a final decision, we would first like to know what stakeholders and users think about our proposal to change the 643 timetable. The consultation will end on 14th April 2025.
You can write to us…
643 Bus Consultation, Commercial Team, Nexus House, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 4AX
Or e-mail your feedback…
[email protected]