Tyne and Wear’s bus Quality Contract plans are unlawful, say operators

Tyne and Wear could become the first place in Britain to implement a bus Quality Contract Scheme but operators say the PTE’s case is based on miscalculations – and legally flawed too. Andrew Forster reports

Consultation ended last week on plans by Nexus, the Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Executive, to introduce a bus Quality Contract Scheme (QCS) in the conurbation. Unsurprisingly, the area’s incumbent operators are unhappy with the idea because it would replace their freedom to plan and run services with a system of exclusive operating contracts awarded by the PTE.

Tyne and Wear Integrated Transport Authority authorised consultation on the QCS this summer, alongside requesting that the...

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