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Local people in Jarrow, Boldon and West Shields are to be asked their views on a new plan for the bus network in South Tyneside. The plan, drawn up by Nexus with the help of bus operators and South Tyneside Council, sets out to formulate a new bus network of where local buses should run in the borough. It is aimed at providing a stable, reliable bus network the meets the needs of the largest number of people in South Tyneside. The plan would improve bus accessibility to South Tyneside Hospital and other public services around the borough, while ensuring all communities have a local bus and surrounding towns and cities can be reached easily. People can find out more and give their views to Nexus district bus manager Bill Cowell at three drop-in sessions next week. The sessions are: * Boldon Community Association, 10am-1pm, Monday 17 November.
* Hedworth Community Bungalow, 10am-noon, Wednesday 19 November
* Chuter Ede Community Association, 2pm-4pm, Thursday 20 November. Ken Kemp, Nexus Integration and Services Director, said: “Buses are getting better and we want to support the investment of operators by making sure the network meets local needs. “We want to work together with operators to put a stable new network in place for the years ahead.” “People will have many different views on where and when buses run, but we aim to deliver a network the meets the needs of the largest number of local residents.” Councillor Tom Hanson, Vice Chair of the Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Authority, said: “The Borough’s bus network affects the lives of everyone in South Tyneside, and any plans to improve it must be welcomed. It is very important that the bus network we have serves the needs of local people in the best and most efficient way possible. “We are carrying out extensive consultation as part of our efforts to establish those needs. We want to make sure we get the new network right. “I know just how passionate local people are about bus services and would urge them to take advantage of the forthcoming opportunities to get their views across and make their voices heard.” Residents have the chance to give their views at South Tyneside Council Community Area Forum meetings between now and Christmas. The consultation is a chance for Nexus and bus operators to fine tune the planned new network to take account of local needs. The two existing operators, Go North East and Stagecoach – together with South Tyneside Council – will play a full part in the project. At present commercial operators register the bus routes they wish to operate, while Nexus subsidies additional services to fill gaps in the network where a service would not be profitable, but meets an important social need. The new bus network is aimed at creating a stable network by getting agreement for the first time on where and when every bus in South Tyneside should run.
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