Key bus routes taking passengers from east Gateshead to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital have been saved
The 67 and 69 services run right across Gateshead, from Wardley in the east to Metrocentre and Winlaton in the west, via the QE Hospital.
The western parts of the routes are due to be operated commercially and there was a danger that the eastern section of both routes from Wardley to the QE Hospital would stop operating.
Now Nexus has pledged financial support to ensure the services will continue.
Councillor John McElroy, cabinet member for the environment and transport, welcomed the move to keep the 67 and 69 services running for the full route.
He said: “This is a vital transport link for those in the eastern end of the borough, to ensure they can reach the QE Hospital directly.
“Many of our residents either don’t have a car, or have to manage on low incomes, so it’s really important that we keep buses like this, both for patients and hospital visitors.
“I want to thank all those councillors who made representations on this matter, to help ensure the buses keep running.”
Huw Lewis, Customer Services Director at Nexus, said: “Go North East will be taking over both the 67 and 69 from 21 July. Nexus stepped as a public body to save these routes from being withdrawn in the wake of the pandemic two years ago, and we are pleased Go North East is now ready to operate them again.
“We have provided some funding to make sure they continue without change as we continue to work in partnership with bus operators to sustain and rebuild local services."
From Sunday 21 July, the whole of the 67 and 69 routes will be operated by Go North East, taking over the existing services run by Gateshead Central Taxis. Timetables and the route will remain unchanged.