Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Executive

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Nexus
Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Executive
Nexus, Tyne and Wear PTE logo, October 2022.png
Passenger Transport Executive overview
Formed1 April 1974 (1974-04-01)
Preceding Passenger Transport Executive
Jurisdiction Tyne and Wear
Headquarters
Passenger Transport Executive executive
  • Cathy Massarella, Managing Director
Parent organisation North East Combined Authority
Child agencies
Website www.nexus.org.uk OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
Map
Tyne and Wear UK location map.svg
Map showing Tyne & Wear in the UK

The Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Executive, branded as Nexus, is an executive body of the North East Combined Authority and is best known for owning and operating the Tyne and Wear Metro. It replaced the Tyneside PTE on 1 April 1974.

Contents

Operations

Overview

Nexus is responsible for the following aspects of the Tyne and Wear public transport system:

Concession

Between 2010 and 2017, the Tyne and Wear Metro was operated under contract by DB Regio on behalf of Nexus. [2] [3]

During November 2008, Nexus invited potential bidders to declare an interest in a contract to run the operations side of the Metro on its behalf. The successful bidder was to obtain a seven-year contract commencing on 1 April 2010, with up to an additional two years depending on performance. [4] [5] In February 2009, four bids were shortlisted: DB Regio, MTR Corporation, Serco-Abellio, and an in-house bid from Nexus. [6] By October 2009, the shortlist had been reduced to bids from DB Regio and Nexus. [7]

In December 2009, DB Regio was named as the preferred bidder, with the contract for operating the system signed in February 2010, and the handover of the service taking place in April 2010. [8] [9] In February 2010, the government confirmed it would award Nexus up to £580 million to modernise and operate the Tyne and Wear Metro, with up to £350 million to be spent on the Metro: All Change programme, over the course of the following eleven years; a further £230 million would support running and maintenance costs, over the following nine years. [9]

In March 2016, Nexus announced that they did not intend to renew the contract with DB Regio, following the contract ending in 2017, after stating that they were dissatisfied with the operator due to missed performance targets. [10] During April 2017, Nexus took over direct operation of Metro for a planned period of two years; at the time, it announced its intention to re-tender the contract at some future date. [2] [3]

Policies and programmes

Nexus is pursuing a number of major programmes aimed at improving public transport in Tyne and Wear. These include the £389 million "Metro: All Change" programme to modernise the Tyne and Wear Metro over eleven years. Most of the capital money will be invested in renewal and upgrade of infrastructure, with modernisation of stations and trains also included. Trains will not be replaced within this programme, but are expected to be replaced in around 2023. [11]

In April 2009, Nexus launched a Bus Strategy aimed at improving the bus network in Tyne and Wear, which accounts for around 77% of all public transport journeys in the area. Nexus said it wished to work in partnership with commercial bus companies which operate 90% of services in Tyne and Wear. Priorities include increasing the punctuality and reliability of bus services, improving information and ensuring the network offers a high level of access to local shops, services and workplaces. In October 2014, the North East Combined Authority accepted a recommendation from Nexus to take forward a Quality Contracts Scheme as the best means of meeting this objective. [12]

Nexus seeks to reduce social exclusion, particularly for disabled people, through a number of overlapping schemes. These include subsidised taxis, weekly community bus services between sheltered accommodation and supermarkets, a "companion card" allowing free use of public transport by caretakers, and specialist training and mentoring for people with learning difficulties.

Smart ticketing

Nexus has led one of the UK's biggest roll-outs of smart ticketing technology, in partnership with local councils and commercial transport companies as part of the North East Smart Ticketing Initiative (NESTI). NESTI aims to deliver a single smart infrastructure for North East England, making it possible to travel on public transport with a single smart payment card. Nexus has itself launched the Pop brand, which encompasses a number of smartcards including Pop cards for season tickets, Pop Pay As You Go cards and Under 16 Pop cards which facilitate concessionary travel by young people in Tyne and Wear. Pop branded smartcards are accepted and are commonplace on Nexus' services, while the Pop PAYG card is accepted on a range of public transport across North East England.

Nexus have also introduced Pop PAYG for Google Pay, allowing users with Android smartphones to use Google Pay instead of a physical Pop card. However, existing cards are unable to be added, requiring a new card be created via the App. [13]

TravelShops

North Shields Metro station and Travelshop Metro station, North Shields - geograph.org.uk - 1712678.jpg
North Shields Metro station and Travelshop

Nexus operated six TravelShops which sold tickets and provided local public transport information. These were located at:

Following the coronavirus outbreak all of the shops were closed and staff were redeployed to assist at bus and Metro stations. [20]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tyne and Wear Metro</span> Rapid-transit rail network in north-east England

The Tyne and Wear Metro is an overground and underground light rail rapid transit system serving Newcastle upon Tyne, Gateshead, North Tyneside, South Tyneside, and the City of Sunderland. It has been described as the "first modern light rail system in the United Kingdom". The system is currently both owned and operated by the Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Executive (Nexus), thus is fully under public ownership and operation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Monument Metro station</span> Tyne and Wear Metro station in Newcastle upon Tyne

Monument is a Tyne and Wear Metro station, serving the Monument area of the city of Newcastle upon Tyne in Tyne and Wear, England. It joined the network on 15 November 1981, following the opening of the third phase of the network, between Haymarket and Heworth. The station is named after Grey's Monument, which stands directly above it.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Haymarket Metro station</span> Tyne and Wear Metro station in Newcastle upon Tyne

Haymarket is a Tyne and Wear Metro station, serving the Haymarket area of the city of Newcastle upon Tyne in Tyne and Wear, England. It joined the network as a terminus station on 11 August 1980, following the opening of the first phase of the network, between Haymarket and Tynemouth via Four Lane Ends.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Heworth Interchange</span> Tyne and Wear Metro and railway station in Gateshead

Heworth Interchange consists of a National Rail, Tyne and Wear Metro and bus station. It is located in the suburb of Heworth, Gateshead in Tyne and Wear, England, and opened on 5 November 1979 for rail and bus services. The station joined the Tyne and Wear Metro network around two years later, on 15 November 1981.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Park Lane Interchange</span> Tyne and Wear Metro station in Sunderland

Park Lane is a Tyne and Wear Metro station, serving the port city of Sunderland in Tyne and Wear, England. It joined the network on 28 April 2002, following the opening of the extension from Pelaw to South Hylton.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Four Lane Ends Interchange</span> Tyne and Wear Metro station and bus interchange in North Tyneside

The Four Lane Ends Interchange is a multimodal transport hub in the borough of North Tyneside in the English metropolitan county of Tyne and Wear. It includes a station on the Tyne and Wear Metro, a bus station and a multi-storey car park. The metro station opened on 11 August 1980, but it is situated on the site of a previous station that opened in 1864, closed in 1871, and was variously called Benton, Long Benton and Longbenton.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Northumberland Park Metro station</span> Tyne and Wear Metro station in North Tyneside

Northumberland Park is a Tyne and Wear Metro station, and planned future National Rail station, serving the village of Backworth and suburbs of Northumberland Park and West Allotment, as well as the nearby Cobalt Business Park, North Tyneside in Tyne and Wear, England. The station opened on 11 December 2005, on the alignment of the former Blyth and Tyne Railway.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shields Ferry</span> Ferry across the River Tyne in England

The Shields Ferry operates across the River Tyne, between North Shields and South Shields in Tyne and Wear, England. The service is operated by the Nexus, the Tyne and Wear PTE. Prior to takeover by the PTE in 1972, it was known as the Market Place Ferry.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bank Foot Metro station</span> Tyne and Wear Metro station in Newcastle upon Tyne

Bank Foot is a Tyne and Wear Metro station, serving the suburbs of Woolsington and Kenton in the English city of Newcastle upon Tyne. It opened as a single platform terminal station in 1981, with the opening of the second phase of the metro, between South Gosforth and Bank Foot. It was restructured as a two platform through station in 1991, with the opening of the extension to Newcastle Airport.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wallsend Metro station</span> Tyne and Wear Metro station in North Tyneside

Wallsend is a Tyne and Wear Metro station, serving the town of Wallsend, North Tyneside in Tyne and Wear, England. It joined the network on 14 November 1982, following the opening of the fourth phase of the network, between Tynemouth and St James via Wallsend.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">South Hylton Metro station</span> Tyne and Wear Metro station in Sunderland

South Hylton is a Tyne and Wear Metro station, serving the suburbs of Pennywell and South Hylton, City of Sunderland in Tyne and Wear, North East England. It joined the network as a terminus station on 31 March 2002, following the opening of the extension from Pelaw to South Hylton.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gateshead Interchange</span> Tyne and Wear Metro station in Gateshead

Gateshead Interchange is a Tyne and Wear Metro station, serving the town of Gateshead in Tyne and Wear, England. It joined the network on 15 November 1981, following the opening of the third phase of the network, between Haymarket and Heworth.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jarrow Metro station</span> Tyne and Wear Metro station in South Tyneside

Jarrow is a Tyne and Wear Metro station, serving the town of Jarrow, South Tyneside in Tyne and Wear, England. It joined the network on 24 March 1984, following the opening of the fifth phase of the network, between Heworth and South Shields.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">North Shields Metro station</span> Tyne and Wear Metro station in North Tyneside

North Shields is a Tyne and Wear Metro station, serving the coastal town of North Shields, North Tyneside in Tyne and Wear, England. It joined the network on 14 November 1982, following the opening of the fourth phase of the network, between Tynemouth and St James via Wallsend.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jesmond Metro station</span> Tyne and Wear Metro station in Newcastle upon Tyne

Jesmond is a Tyne and Wear Metro station, serving the suburb of Jesmond, Newcastle upon Tyne in Tyne and Wear, England. It joined the network on 11 August 1980, following the opening of the first phase of the network, between Haymarket and Tynemouth via Four Lane Ends.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">South Shields Interchange</span> Tyne and Wear Metro and bus interchange in South Tyneside

South Shields Interchange is Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Executive's transport hub in the coastal town of South Shields, South Tyneside in Tyne and Wear, England.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Regent Centre Interchange</span> Tyne and Wear Metro station in Newcastle upon Tyne

The Regent Centre Interchange is a multimodal transport hub, serving the suburb of Gosforth in the English city of Newcastle upon Tyne. It includes a station on the Tyne and Wear Metro, a bus station and a multi-storey car park, and is adjacent to the Regent Centre business park. It was opened in 1981.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Monkseaton Metro station</span> Tyne and Wear Metro station in North Tyneside

Monkseaton is a Tyne and Wear Metro station, serving the suburb of Monkseaton, North Tyneside in Tyne and Wear, England. It joined the network on 11 August 1980, following the opening of the first phase of the network, between Haymarket and Tynemouth via Four Lane Ends.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Arriva UK Trains</span> Company that oversees Arrivas British train operations

Arriva UK Trains Limited is the company that oversees Arriva's train operating companies in the United Kingdom. It gained its first franchises in February 2000. These were later lost, though several others were gained. In January 2010, with the take-over of Arriva by Deutsche Bahn, Arriva UK Trains also took over the running of those formerly overseen by DB Regio UK Limited.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Transport in Tyne and Wear</span> Overview of transport in Tyne and Wear

Tyne and Wear is a metropolitan area covering the cities of Newcastle upon Tyne and Sunderland, as well as North and South Tyneside, Gateshead and Washington.

References

  1. ↑ "TaxiCard". nexus.org.uk. Archived from the original on 14 August 2020.
  2. 1 2 "Tyne and Wear Metro operator contract to end in 2017". BBC News. 14 March 2016. Retrieved 20 March 2017.
  3. 1 2 "Tyne and Wear Metro to be publicly run by Nexus". BBC News. 1 April 2017. Retrieved 3 April 2017.
  4. ↑ "Nexus names final two bidders for Metro operations contract". Nexus. 2 October 2009. Retrieved 27 November 2010.
  5. ↑ "Meeting Agenda" (PDF). Nexus. 28 January 2010.
  6. ↑ "Foreign bids for Metro contract". BBC News . 2 February 2009. Retrieved 3 February 2009.
  7. ↑ "Final shortlist for Metro service". BBC News . 3 October 2009. Retrieved 3 October 2009.
  8. ↑ "DB Regio preferred bidder for Tyne & Wear Metro operating contract". Railway Gazette International . 3 December 2009.
  9. 1 2 "£580 Million Funding Gives Metro a World-Class Future". Nexus. 3 February 2010. Retrieved 27 November 2010.
  10. ↑ "Frustrated by Metro delays? You're right to be – report reveals string of missed targets". chroniclelive.co.uk. 31 October 2016. Retrieved 6 April 2017.
  11. ↑ "Tyne & Wear Metro Rapid Transit System, United Kingdom – Railway Technology". railway-technology.com. Retrieved 28 August 2021.
  12. ↑ "North East bus shake-up gets the green light". North East Combined Authority. 22 October 2014.
  13. ↑ "Pop Pay As You Go with Google Pay". nexus.org.uk. Archived from the original on 24 March 2022.
  14. ↑ "Central Station TravelShop". nexus.org.uk. Archived from the original on 3 March 2021.
  15. ↑ "Gateshead TravelShop". nexus.org.uk. Archived from the original on 2 March 2021.
  16. ↑ "Haymarket TravelShop". nexus.org.uk. Archived from the original on 3 March 2021.
  17. ↑ "North Shields TravelShop". nexus.org.uk. Archived from the original on 2 March 2021.
  18. ↑ "Sunderland TravelShop". nexus.org.uk. Archived from the original on 3 March 2021.
  19. ↑ "South Shields TravelShop". nexus.org.uk. Archived from the original on 3 March 2021.
  20. ↑ "TravelShops". nexus.org.uk. Archived from the original on 19 April 2021.
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