Nexus takes the plunge to bring bus QCs to the streets of Tyne and Wear

Nexus is consulting on plans to introduce bus Quality Contracts across the Tyne and Wear conurbation. The PTE says its proposals are vital for ensuring the long-term health of the bus network at a time when public funding for buses is being cut. But not everyone accepts the PTE’s analysis.

Andrew Forster

09 August 2013

Under a QCS, all buses would feature common branding. The illustration shows one possible design

EVER SINCE bus services were deregulated outside London in 1986 there has been a vocal lobby for bringing them back under local government control. Legislation to allow this via bus Quality Contracts was included in the Transport Act 2000 (and the equivalent 2001 Act in Scotland) but, although some local authorities have since toyed with using the powers, none has yet come forward with firm plans. Until now, that is.

Nexus, the Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Executive, has just launched a...