A chance for public transport users in the North East to join a discussion with Mayor Kim McGuinness on the future of buses in the region. www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/mayor-meet... If you're able to, please get along to Redhills in Durham on the 23rd of July to let the Mayor know what you think!

Mayor Meets: Future of North East buses

Join North East Mayor Kim McGuinness for a local conversation on the future of bus services in our region.

eventbrite.co.uk

Great thread and blog by our friends at @space4gosforth.bsky.social on why they support bus franchising in the North East. If you support taking back buses into public control, then make sure you respond to the consultation to say so! www.northeast-ca.gov.uk/consultation...

Consultations

northeast-ca.gov.uk

@space4gosforth.bsky.social · 3w ago

In our latest blog we look at the NE Mayoral Strategic Authority is seeking feedback on its proposed NE bus franchising proposal. The consultation is open for responses until 9am 28 September 2026 (link on blog). This would mean the NE has a similar system to London or Manchester.

Making the the East Coast Main Line have 4 tracks to Morpeth or even Alnwick would be a great option instead. It would allow more local stopping services, new stations and reduce the number of cars traveling up the A1 making it safer. The mayor should lobby for this over polluting road schemes.

North East PTUG@northeastptug.bsky.social · 4w ago

We are concerned that many Northumberland politicians are creating the impression that dualling alone can solve safety issues on the A1 and save the Northumberland economy. Investment in speed cameras and improved public transport could achieve the same aims. northeastbylines.co.uk/news/transpo...

We are concerned that many Northumberland politicians are creating the impression that dualling alone can solve safety issues on the A1 and save the Northumberland economy. Investment in speed cameras and improved public transport could achieve the same aims. northeastbylines.co.uk/news/transpo...

Transport group claim A1 dualling campaign ‘could cost more lives’ and call for average speed cameras

“We are concerned that many Northumberland politicians are creating the impression that dualling alone can solve safety issues on the A1 and save the Northumberland economy"

northeastbylines.co.uk

We spoke to @itvnews.bsky.social Tyne Tees today to make the case for why bus reform in the North East is a vital step towards a London-style integrated transport system with seamless fares and joined-up services. Please respond positively to the NEMSA consultation. www.itv.com/watch/news/c...

The North East public are being urged to have their say on mayor Kim McGuinness' plan to take control over bus routes, fares, and timetables away from private operators

Mayor's plan to control buses could save millions of journeys being lost to cuts

The North East public are being urged to have their say on mayor Kim McGuinness' plan to take control over bus routes, fares, and timetables away from private operators

chroniclelive.co.uk

For NE folk, the consultation is open here (until 28th Sept): www.northeast-ca.gov.uk/consultation... Given the recent shifts in the region's political landscape, as much vocal explict support for franchising and for better buses as possible is desperately needed.

North East PTUG@northeastptug.bsky.social · 4w ago

Today is a huge day for public transport in the North East. After many years of campaigning, this morning the consultation on returning our buses to public control launches. It's vital that everyone across the region has their say and supports bus reform. 1/3 www.facebook.com/share/v/14q6...

Today is a huge day for public transport in the North East. After many years of campaigning, this morning the consultation on returning our buses to public control launches. It's vital that everyone across the region has their say and supports bus reform. 1/3 www.facebook.com/share/v/14q6...

Bus stops (and their shelters) are a vital piece of our public transport infrastructure. Sadly in Newcastle we've had bus shelters out of action for over 18 months because they were installed incorrectly, meaning they're very difficult for wheelchair users to access. Bus users deserve better!

Campaign for Better Transport@bettertransport.bsky.social · 2mo ago

"Bus stops... are part of everyday life... They shape perceptions of public transport and contribute to the character and accessibility of towns and cities." Find out why Bauer Media Outdoor supports Campaign for Better Transport in our new guest blog: bettertransport.org.uk/blog/buildin...

We recently talked to @danhollandnews.bsky.social about the end of the original Tyne and Wear Metro trains. We look at their final departure with a mix of sadness and relief. If you want to have a last ride on the old trains, 26th of June is the final day! www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-e...

Goodbye to old Metro trains will be sad - but we've waited too long for change

The last of the Tyne and Wear Metro's old trains are due to be decommissioned this month, having clocked up around half a billion kilometres since the system launched in 1980

chroniclelive.co.uk

You would think that there might be a policy in place to ensure that spare land multi-modal transport hubs is used appropriately. Building a drive-thru coffee shop, inducing more car traffic and potentially delaying bus services, doesn't seem like a sensible option. Why not high-density housing?

Paul ツ@lf-p.bsky.social · 3mo ago

Of course the spare land at Heworth Interchange, (busy transport hub served by Metro, National Rail, and local buses), is destined for a DRIVE THRU coffee shop, instead of transit-oriented development (TOD). 🤦🏻‍♂️ What housing shortage? My previous thoughts on Heworth: x.com/lf_p/status/...

Happy birthday to Margaret Calvert, designer of our iconic Tyne and Wear Metro 'M' logo and typeface (which is named after her). We'd love to see her design adopted right across the North East region to bring consistency and clarity to public transport.

Duille@duille.com · 3mo ago

Design legend Margaret Calvert is 90 today. Look at that cake! If you've ever admired a road, rail or metro sign in Britain it's likely she had something to do with it. One of Britain's design heroes - happy birthday to her. Photo by: @oshgallerylondon (IG) Cake by: mybaker.co

What an extraordinarily depressing but entirely unsurprising story - “while the number of lollipop people has fallen, the risks to children on the roads have increased”

The Guardian@theguardian.com · 3mo ago

‘We’re not out to get anyone – we just want to slow you down’: why do lollipop people face so much road rage?

⚠️ MIND THE GAP! 🚍 Bus passengers with wheelchairs, buggies and mobility issues have been inconvenienced for 18 months now due to the forgotten 'temporary' plastic barriers in Newcastle City Centre. Why are they still here? Are shelters still unsafe? @danhollandnews.bsky.social Enough is enough.

Ask the candidates standing in Heaton what has happened to the Coast Road bus lane proposals and what they propose to do about the delays experienced bus passengers.

North East PTUG@northeastptug.bsky.social · 3mo ago

Good question. Our guess would be "politics". The Coast Road bus lane was costed and included in the BSIP bid. It would deliver massive benefits for bus services. But it has been shelved. Yet 50m of bus lane that slows buses down is going ahead...

Brilliant thread from @mikecookson.bsky.social on the failure of BSIP spending in Newcastle. As Mike says "£1 million to make bus journeys slower". Regardless of who runs them, traffic delays buses. In next week's local elections, vote for candidates who use and understand public transport.

Mike Cookson 🔶 🇪🇺🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️@mikecookson.bsky.social · 3mo ago

There's a lot of talk about franchising, or nationalising buses today. But neither is going to make any difference, unless we genuinely prioritise bus routes. So I'm disappointed to see the Delegated Decision for the Wallsend Bus Corridor Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) published today. Cont.

“Enhanced traffic flow planning will help visitors leave the site more easily.” Visitors could also walk; cycle (any parking?); get the Metro or take a bus on a very busy route - why no mention of these by the operator? @mikecookson.bsky.social @junasathian.bsky.social @northeastptug.bsky.social

ChronicleLive - The Chronicle@chroniclelive.co.uk · 4mo ago

It won't be long until The Hoppings 2026 funfair will be taking up residence on the Town Moor in Newcastle

While local councils don't control public transport, they do control the highway network. On the run up to the local elections, ask candidates wanting your vote what they would do to make YOUR; *️⃣ neighbourhood HEALTHIER 🏡 🌳 *️⃣ active travel journeys SAFER 🚴🏼‍♀️🚶🏽‍♂️ *️⃣ public transport journeys QUICKER 🚍 🚆

We can almost guarantee that this latest 'relief' road will do nothing to alleviate congestion in Blyth. There's decades of evidence that building additional road capacity does not reduce congestion but induces new demand for car travel. And the plans don't take the Northumberland Line into account!

ChronicleLive - The Chronicle@chroniclelive.co.uk · 4mo ago

The plans were approved despite concerns over whether it will actually alleviate the town's congestion issues

There’s also an interesting objection that the traffic figures date from 2023 & don’t include impact of the Northumberland Line: a line so popular that they are having to add extra carriages! Again, this would make an interesting investigation for @chroniclelive.co.uk @northeastptug.bsky.social

@space4gosforth.bsky.social · 4mo ago

Strong statement from the planner: “Everything is telling you that this will alleviate the congestion coming into Blyth. We’re saying it will work – there is nothing to tell us that it won’t other than speculation on your part.” Hopefully @chroniclelive.co.uk will investigate later if she is right.

‘North East must not lose out on transport investment’, by @northeastbylines.co.uk NEPTUG Co-Chair, Alistair Ford, comments: “There’s no reason why we shouldn’t be ambitious and explore trams or BRT here too for areas away from the Metro”. northeastbylines.co.uk/news/transpo...

North East must not lose out on transport investment

Let's make sure that we are part of the great public transport revolution across the country

northeastbylines.co.uk

Our recently formed NORTHUMBERLAND branch will next meet on Wednesday 1st April, at 6.30pm via Zoom.
 For more information and how to join, visit: neptug.org.uk/nlandapr26/ Anyone interested in improving public transport and active travel in Northumberland welcome! 🚆 🚊 🚍 🚴🏼‍♀️ 🚶🏽‍♂️

Edinburgh's buses; 90% are publically owned by an arm's-length company, but ridership declined until a massive increase in bus lanes 1990s-2000s. Which levelled off after bus lane hours were cut.

While we strongly support having public control of buses, congestion delays buses equally whether they are run publicly or privately. This is something our councils can tackle NOW if they have the political will. Unreliability caused by congestion won’t be solved by franchising. Bus priority please!

ChronicleLive - The Chronicle@chroniclelive.co.uk · 5mo ago

The North East is moving closer to taking power over bus fares, routes and timetables out of the hands of private companies, under Kim McGuinness' proposed Angel Network

Kim McGuinness take note! Night buses are desperately needed in Newcastle. I’m fed up of paying £13 for a taxi at 2300 because the last bus has already left.

The Guardian@theguardian.com · 5mo ago

Night buses will run to every Greater Manchester borough as Bee Network expands

Further coverage of NEPTUG and Climate Action Newcastle's opposition to plans to expand Newcastle Airport, increasing emissions and impacting local communities with air and noise pollution, traffic congestion, and road construction. It's simply bad economics www.hexham-courant.co.uk/news/2594464...

Campaigners slam Newcastle Airport expansion plan as 'smoke and mirrors'

Campaginers claimed that plans to expand Newcastle Airport are 'smoke and mirrors' produced without 'sound evidence'.

hexham-courant.co.uk

NEPTUG is against the further expansion of Newcastle Airport. There's no case for it, on economic, social, or environmental grounds. Half of UK residents never fly, and 10% of households are responsible for 57% of UK flights. Let's invest in alternatives. www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-e...

Climate campaigners attack Newcastle Airport expansion plans

Opponents of plans to almost double passenger numbers at Newcastle Airport to nine million per year by 2040 fear it could help 'derail' efforts to reach net zero

chroniclelive.co.uk

Fantastic to see this go ahead with support from across the region and parties. This is an important step towards bus services that work for people, not private profit, and integration between buses, Metro, and local rail in the North East. www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-e...

Mayor's push to take contol of North East buses moves closer to reality

The North East is moving closer to taking power over bus fares, routes and timetables out of the hands of private companies, under Kim McGuinness' proposed Angel Network

chroniclelive.co.uk

Thanks for contacting Nexus on this, Nick. This is a perfect example of why we need joined-up ticketing on bus (and other public transport) services in the region. If people currently rely on Stagecoach day or week tickets to connect to other services, they won't be able to do that next month.

Cllr Nick Hartley - Green Party@nickhartleygreen.bsky.social · 5mo ago

All change on the 18 from Walker to Quorum via Byker. From 22/03, Northstar take over from Stagecoach. I’ve contacted Nexus to raise questions about communication to commuters. There’s a 4-week grace period for travel passes, but this clearly raises more questions for those on annual passes.

Glasgow Subway has now rolled out contactless payments across its ticket gates. No word on when passengers in the North East will be able to do so on @my-metro.bsky.social, or even when the long-delayed Next-gen Pop will launch. How can other regions achieve this but passengers here have to wait?

The National@scotnational.bsky.social · 5mo ago

Glasgow Subway passengers can now tap to travel using contactless payments