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Tens of thousands of people are expected to use special Boxing Day bus services put on by Nexus and the Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Authority. Nexus is to subsidise 133 buses to provide 48 bus routes across Tyne and Wear that otherwise would not run, to help keep families and friends connected at Christmas. The cost of providing the services is £85,000 of which Nexus expects to recover 65%. A further 10 routes are to be operated by Go North East on a normal commercial footing. Metro is also to operate a limited service on the public holiday. Details of all Christmas and New Year public transport times can be found on the Nexus website, and by calling North East Traveline on 0871 200 22 33. All the Nexus-supported buses will be charging normal commercial fares. Cllr Dave Wood, Chairman of the Passenger Transport Authority, said: “In most cases bus companies are unwilling to run services on Boxing Day but just because fewer people travel it doesn’t make the journey any less important, and that’s why we step in. “Past experience tells us that up to 55,000 people will use buses on Boxing Day, keeping in touch with their nearest and dearest on Boxing Day. It’s just one way the PTA makes sure public transport is there when people need it.” Nexus sets out to provide a basic network that covers Tyne and Wear, maintaining cross city links and buses to hospitals. This year Go North East is operating a larger number of buses itself – 10 routes across Gateshead, Sunderland and County Durham – meaning Nexus is subsidising fewer routes than last year. These core services will operate close to the Sunday timetable between 9.30am and 6.30pm, with most buses every 10-30 minutes but a few only hourly. Metro will run every 15 minutes between 10am and 7pm. Anyone who is planning to travel can call North East Traveline on 0871 200 22 33 to find out exact times.
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