Nexus urged to provide more bus and Metro services over Christmas

Dec 1 2009 by Amy Hunt, The Journal

PUBLIC transport operators are failing to promote a car-free message over the Christmas and New Year period, it has been claimed.

Nexus has been urged to ensure more bus and Metro services are available during the holidays so people feel it is worthwhile using public transport.

The plea has come as Metro bosses promised extra trains for the run-up to Christmas and the start of the sales to help shoppers and party-goers.

At a meeting of the Tyne and Wear Integrated Transport Authority, Coun Peter Wood said more should be done to make sure people could do without cars over Christmas.

He said: “If we’re really serious about encouraging people to leave their cars at home I think we have got to do rather more to ensure public transport is at least close to a 24-hour operation.

“It’s interesting that people still manage, even with major football matches taking place on Boxing Day. It shows public transport isn’t as essential to people as we would like it to be and I think we have to take that message on board.”

Bernard Garner, Nexus’ director general, said it was difficult to encourage train and bus operators to put on services if they did not believe the demand was there.

He said: “It’s a question of cost and demand – there’s substantially reduced demand on December 26 and January 1. There will be even less demand on Boxing Day this year because the sales aren’t starting until the Sunday.

“Clearly we set our budget 12 months ago based on providing a certain level of service. But I will take away the views expressed to see what can be done next year by encouraging operators to do more.”

For further information about public transport services over Christmas call Travelline on 0871 200-2233 or visit the Nexus website www.nexus.org.uk