North East PTUG
@northeastptug.bsky.social
A voluntary organisation in the North East of England campaigning for public transport for social and environmental good. We fight for more attractive, affordable, and accessible sustainable transport (including walking, cycling, bus, metro, and rail).
Pinned
North East Public Transport Users Group
Representing public transport users from Berwick to Barnard Castle
neptug.org.uk
Hello! The North East Public Transport Users Group is a campaigning organisation in the North East of England run by volunteers who believe that sustainable, accessible, affordable public transport (including walking and cycling!) is vtial to help lower emissions and improve health.
neptug.org.uk
neptug.org.uk
🎤We talked to @northeastbylines.co.uk about how better integration, modernising our local rail network and being able to safely walk/cycle to bus/Metro/rail stops could transform travel for North Easterners, and how we need strong visionary politicians to deliver.
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/n...
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/n...
North East Transport Today
Podcast Episode · North East Bylines Podcast · 23/01/2026 · 23m
podcasts.apple.com
January 29, 2026 at 6:16 PM
🎤We talked to @northeastbylines.co.uk about how better integration, modernising our local rail network and being able to safely walk/cycle to bus/Metro/rail stops could transform travel for North Easterners, and how we need strong visionary politicians to deliver.
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/n...
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/n...
Reposted by North East PTUG
Can anyone predict what will happen in the North East?
The Mayor is already burning through Bus Service Improvement money on subsidising fares and routes, while Councils slow walk any actual infrastructure changes to give buses genuine priority.
Cont.
The Mayor is already burning through Bus Service Improvement money on subsidising fares and routes, while Councils slow walk any actual infrastructure changes to give buses genuine priority.
Cont.
Should have done the London pay per mile scheme to reduce traffic and speed up the buses. www.standard.co.uk/news/transpo...
London buses in crisis: Sadiq Khan spends £1.2billion a year subsidising bus network
Passenger numbers down 20% since pandemic - as TfL admits defeat in making bus fleet ‘zero emission’ by 2030
www.standard.co.uk
January 29, 2026 at 6:39 AM
Can anyone predict what will happen in the North East?
The Mayor is already burning through Bus Service Improvement money on subsidising fares and routes, while Councils slow walk any actual infrastructure changes to give buses genuine priority.
Cont.
The Mayor is already burning through Bus Service Improvement money on subsidising fares and routes, while Councils slow walk any actual infrastructure changes to give buses genuine priority.
Cont.
The @my-metro.bsky.social fare cap helps to simplify tickets for passengers, even if some fares may rise as a result. Ultimately, we need integrated tickets, allowing people to move seamlessly and affordably between Metro, bus, and rail.
www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-e...
www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-e...
Tyne and Wear Metro passengers warned of price hikes despite £2.50 fare cap
While mayor Kim McGuinness has made promises of cheaper Metro travel from a new cap on fares, the changes will actually increase costs for passengers taking shorter journeys
www.chroniclelive.co.uk
January 29, 2026 at 9:51 AM
The @my-metro.bsky.social fare cap helps to simplify tickets for passengers, even if some fares may rise as a result. Ultimately, we need integrated tickets, allowing people to move seamlessly and affordably between Metro, bus, and rail.
www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-e...
www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-e...
Very exciting news for public transport users in the region, with the Pop card finally starting to reach its full potential. We've long called for integration of tickets for public transport, where users can switch easily between modes with simple tickets.
www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-e...
www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-e...
Tyne and Wear Metro fares to be capped at £2.50 for single journey with Pop card
North East mayor Kim McGuinness has announced plans for a flat £2.50 rate for all single journeys on the Tyne and Wear Metro, in the hope of making travel cheaper for many passengers
www.chroniclelive.co.uk
January 26, 2026 at 3:20 PM
Very exciting news for public transport users in the region, with the Pop card finally starting to reach its full potential. We've long called for integration of tickets for public transport, where users can switch easily between modes with simple tickets.
www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-e...
www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-e...
More fare increases for passengers in the region, now from Arriva buses. Those travelling short distances under the £2.50 cap are the ones losing out, alongside daily users without a monthly season ticket. Public control of buses will give greater clarity for users.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Rise in some North East bus fares 'unwelcome' says users' group
Arriva North East says it has not taken the decision to increase some fares by 10p
www.bbc.co.uk
January 19, 2026 at 2:21 PM
More fare increases for passengers in the region, now from Arriva buses. Those travelling short distances under the £2.50 cap are the ones losing out, alongside daily users without a monthly season ticket. Public control of buses will give greater clarity for users.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Passengers on the Northumberland Line can use the Pop card to travel on trains, but only as far as Newcastle central station. If those trains then go on to the Metrocentre (still within Tyne and Wear), passengers then need to buy a separate ticket. Improvement needed.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Northumberland Line Pop card anomaly called ‘confusing’
The card does not work on the Newcastle to Metrocentre service, a passengers' group says.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 19, 2026 at 2:17 PM
Passengers on the Northumberland Line can use the Pop card to travel on trains, but only as far as Newcastle central station. If those trains then go on to the Metrocentre (still within Tyne and Wear), passengers then need to buy a separate ticket. Improvement needed.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by North East PTUG
The Government has committed to restoring the whole, former Leamside rail line
Kim McGuinness wants North East to be at the front of Northern rail revolution
Kim McGuinness wants North East to be at the front of Northern rail revolution
www.chroniclelive.co.uk
January 15, 2026 at 11:39 AM
The Government has committed to restoring the whole, former Leamside rail line
Reposted by North East PTUG
After years of one year funding settlements from the Treasury, it seems like the continuing rises in electricity and employment costs, combined with the apparent blind spot the treasury has when it comes to the North East are really putting Public Transport here under extreme pressure.
Metro operator Nexus is having to spend £25 million to balance its books over the next few years, but there have been pleas to keep the cost of fares down
Tyne and Wear Metro ticket prices still in limbo after national rail fare freeze
Tyne and Wear Metro ticket prices still in limbo after national rail fare freeze
www.chroniclelive.co.uk
January 14, 2026 at 8:24 PM
After years of one year funding settlements from the Treasury, it seems like the continuing rises in electricity and employment costs, combined with the apparent blind spot the treasury has when it comes to the North East are really putting Public Transport here under extreme pressure.
Good news for people and businesses in the North East - we need better public transport to tackle our region's social, economic, and environmental issues. But local rail services, not inter-city connections, are most vital. Congrats @kimmcguinness.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Labour revives Northern Powerhouse Rail project with pledge of £45bn funds
Plan will start with TransPennine upgrade with new line connecting Liverpool and Manchester in second phase
www.theguardian.com
January 14, 2026 at 10:39 AM
Good news for people and businesses in the North East - we need better public transport to tackle our region's social, economic, and environmental issues. But local rail services, not inter-city connections, are most vital. Congrats @kimmcguinness.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Reposted by North East PTUG
Parking on the pavement in London has been illegal for 52 years and in the rest of the UK it's just a fact of life. Central government just opted against a blanket national ban. Anyway here's an excellent advert from when it was banned in London: www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8Yg...
January 8, 2026 at 10:31 AM
Parking on the pavement in London has been illegal for 52 years and in the rest of the UK it's just a fact of life. Central government just opted against a blanket national ban. Anyway here's an excellent advert from when it was banned in London: www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8Yg...
Reposted by North East PTUG
“These new powers do not go far enough to protect pedestrians. It’s disappointing not to see a nationwide prohibition.”
Our @charitycat.bsky.social responds to the news that local authorities will receive legal powers to restrict pavement parking. https://www.livingstreets.org.uk/pavement-parking
Our @charitycat.bsky.social responds to the news that local authorities will receive legal powers to restrict pavement parking. https://www.livingstreets.org.uk/pavement-parking
“These new powers do not go far enough to protect pedestrians | Living Streets
bitly.livingstreets.org.uk
January 8, 2026 at 1:25 PM
“These new powers do not go far enough to protect pedestrians. It’s disappointing not to see a nationwide prohibition.”
Our @charitycat.bsky.social responds to the news that local authorities will receive legal powers to restrict pavement parking. https://www.livingstreets.org.uk/pavement-parking
Our @charitycat.bsky.social responds to the news that local authorities will receive legal powers to restrict pavement parking. https://www.livingstreets.org.uk/pavement-parking
The West End of Newcastle is a poor relation when it comes to public transport provision. Given the difficulty of extending the Metro westwards, we'd like to see the option of trams explored but at the least Bus Rapid Transit with dedicated bus priority lanes. www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-e...
Plea to end 'two-tier' transport system hurting areas cut off from Metro
The North East mayor has been urged to revive the long-held ambition of creating a modern public transport network for the West End of Newcastle
www.chroniclelive.co.uk
January 8, 2026 at 2:24 PM
The West End of Newcastle is a poor relation when it comes to public transport provision. Given the difficulty of extending the Metro westwards, we'd like to see the option of trams explored but at the least Bus Rapid Transit with dedicated bus priority lanes. www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-e...
Shut until mid-January?! Jesmond is a busy station used by students at nearby schools and universities. The station will not be open when they return to studies. Why will the repair take so long @my-metro.bsky.social ? Asking people to walk from nearby stations is simply not good enough.
The northbound Tyne and Wear Metro platform at Jesmond station is still closed after damage sustained when it was scraped by a train's sliding step
Damaged platform at busy Metro station to stay closed until mid-January
Damaged platform at busy Metro station to stay closed until mid-January
www.chroniclelive.co.uk
January 3, 2026 at 5:06 PM
Shut until mid-January?! Jesmond is a busy station used by students at nearby schools and universities. The station will not be open when they return to studies. Why will the repair take so long @my-metro.bsky.social ? Asking people to walk from nearby stations is simply not good enough.
Peter Sagar writes about the proposal to extend the Northumberland Line to Newbiggin. As we comment in the article, there are other improvements required to help more passengers to use the line, including longer trains and the completion of stations at Northumberland Park and Bedlington.
The North East Combined Authority has been asked by Northumberland County Council, to extend the Northumberland Line, which would see the line connecting south-east Northumberland to Tyneside, as far as Newbiggin-by-the-Sea | Peter Sagar
Formal bid to extend Northumberland line
The North East Combined Authority has been asked by Northumberland County Council, to extend the Northumberland Line, which would see the line connecting south-east Northumberland to Tyneside, as far as Newbiggin-by-the-Sea
northeastbylines.co.uk
December 22, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Peter Sagar writes about the proposal to extend the Northumberland Line to Newbiggin. As we comment in the article, there are other improvements required to help more passengers to use the line, including longer trains and the completion of stations at Northumberland Park and Bedlington.
It's really difficult to understand why the opportunity has been missed to improve the environment here for the thousands of workers who will be accessing the new offices by public transport every day. Surely there was Section 106 money for improving provision for buses, cycling and walking?
I presume rather than a continuous row of HVM bollards they’ve tried to break it up with some concrete blocks disguised as seating, but it looks untidy IMO & acts as an obstacle course.
Careful manoeuvring will be required by bus drivers & wheelchair users to board/alight here.
Careful manoeuvring will be required by bus drivers & wheelchair users to board/alight here.
December 21, 2025 at 10:45 AM
It's really difficult to understand why the opportunity has been missed to improve the environment here for the thousands of workers who will be accessing the new offices by public transport every day. Surely there was Section 106 money for improving provision for buses, cycling and walking?
We are disappointed that public transport users in Tyne and Wear are losing their day ticket whilst those in Northumberland and Durham are keeping theirs. We desperately need simpler, more affordable fares. Or even better, tap-on tap-off with the Pop card...
www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-e...
www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-e...
Bus fare 'postcode lottery' anger as cheaper Tyne and Wear ticket scrapped
The £6.80 Tyne and Wear Day Rover public transport ticket will be removed from next April, forcing passengers to buy a more expensive region-wide alternative
www.chroniclelive.co.uk
December 20, 2025 at 10:12 AM
We are disappointed that public transport users in Tyne and Wear are losing their day ticket whilst those in Northumberland and Durham are keeping theirs. We desperately need simpler, more affordable fares. Or even better, tap-on tap-off with the Pop card...
www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-e...
www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-e...
We're extremely disappointed that Nexus will not provide toilets at its major transport interchanges. For many, easy access to toilets on their journey is essential. It's simply not good enough to say "just go to Tesco or the Civic Centre if you need the toilet".
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Gateshead Interchange toilets to remain closed
A passenger group says it has been told people have missed connections trying to find facilities.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 15, 2025 at 9:15 AM
We're extremely disappointed that Nexus will not provide toilets at its major transport interchanges. For many, easy access to toilets on their journey is essential. It's simply not good enough to say "just go to Tesco or the Civic Centre if you need the toilet".
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Great that the fare cap is extended, but bad news for public transport users too: the £6.80 Tyne and Wear day ticket will be discontinued so multimodal passengers will have to buy the region-wide £7.50 day ticket instead. Durham and Northumberland versions remain. Why?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
North East £2.50 bus cap extended until March 2027
North East Mayor Kim McGuinness says the cap resulted in nine million more bus passengers this year.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 10, 2025 at 8:51 PM
Great that the fare cap is extended, but bad news for public transport users too: the £6.80 Tyne and Wear day ticket will be discontinued so multimodal passengers will have to buy the region-wide £7.50 day ticket instead. Durham and Northumberland versions remain. Why?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
We are disappointed that Nexus have no plans to reopen the public toilets at Gateshead Interchange. We've written to @markfergusonmp.bsky.social to highlight the issues this causes to passengers, especially older people and those with disabilites and medical conditions. neptug.org.uk/gatesheadtoi...
December 9, 2025 at 6:41 PM
We are disappointed that Nexus have no plans to reopen the public toilets at Gateshead Interchange. We've written to @markfergusonmp.bsky.social to highlight the issues this causes to passengers, especially older people and those with disabilites and medical conditions. neptug.org.uk/gatesheadtoi...
Reposted by North East PTUG
We’re calling for an end to the fuel duty freeze and 5p fuel duty cut in next week’s Budget. We also want to see the Chancellor out a clear process and timetable for introducing a per-mile charge on EVs.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com
November 22, 2025 at 9:46 AM
We’re calling for an end to the fuel duty freeze and 5p fuel duty cut in next week’s Budget. We also want to see the Chancellor out a clear process and timetable for introducing a per-mile charge on EVs.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by North East PTUG
Axing the cycle-to-work scheme might seem like low-hanging fruit for a cash-strapped Treasury, but it would be a big mistake. Particularly with expensive kid-carrying cargo e-bikes, it's one of the most effective modal shift levers out there.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Rachel Reeves to cut tax benefits for workers using salary sacrifice schemes to buy bikes
Chancellor expected to introduce new limit on how much can be spent on a bicycle through cycle to work scheme
www.theguardian.com
November 13, 2025 at 10:15 AM
Axing the cycle-to-work scheme might seem like low-hanging fruit for a cash-strapped Treasury, but it would be a big mistake. Particularly with expensive kid-carrying cargo e-bikes, it's one of the most effective modal shift levers out there.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
This report from @centreforcities.bsky.social highlights the current issues with transport integration that we hope @kimmcguinness.bsky.social is working to address. By better connecting bus, Metro, and rail, public transport can be made an easy and affordable first choice for many journeys.
With integrated modes, increased bus frequency and reduced journey times #Newcastle could see 170,700 more people connected to the city centre 📢
November 10, 2025 at 4:49 PM
This report from @centreforcities.bsky.social highlights the current issues with transport integration that we hope @kimmcguinness.bsky.social is working to address. By better connecting bus, Metro, and rail, public transport can be made an easy and affordable first choice for many journeys.
Reposted by North East PTUG
Really productive and informative meeting with Officers this morning about Manors Station. Looking forward to the first phase of the improvements to the station, and hopefully that, and adjacent developments will start to unlock the potential there.
November 7, 2025 at 4:39 PM
Really productive and informative meeting with Officers this morning about Manors Station. Looking forward to the first phase of the improvements to the station, and hopefully that, and adjacent developments will start to unlock the potential there.
Reposted by North East PTUG
Incredibly naive.
Basically kills off any career path for Over Head Line teams.
The industry will down skill to repair and maintenance alone.
Kills off any investment or innovation in OLE too.
Bet they announce a new road or airport expansion within a month.
Basically kills off any career path for Over Head Line teams.
The industry will down skill to repair and maintenance alone.
Kills off any investment or innovation in OLE too.
Bet they announce a new road or airport expansion within a month.
Govt scraps all electrification investment. Midland Main Line to stay forever diesel Leicester Nottingham Derby Sheffield. Hugely embarrassing and inexplicable
www.ft.com/content/5ecd...
www.ft.com/content/5ecd...
UK transport secretary says full electrification of railways ‘not affordable right now’
Heidi Alexander says focus will be on other projects such as HS2
www.ft.com
November 8, 2025 at 1:17 PM
Incredibly naive.
Basically kills off any career path for Over Head Line teams.
The industry will down skill to repair and maintenance alone.
Kills off any investment or innovation in OLE too.
Bet they announce a new road or airport expansion within a month.
Basically kills off any career path for Over Head Line teams.
The industry will down skill to repair and maintenance alone.
Kills off any investment or innovation in OLE too.
Bet they announce a new road or airport expansion within a month.
We have asked about bus priority lanes, funded by BSIP and already consulted upon, but no further update at this point. In the meantime, bus passengers (and prospective bus passengers sitting in cars) continue to be delayed and inconvenienced by traffic congestion.
At Climate Change Forum, I heard from bus passengers and bus operators about the challenges of running buses to time.
While bus lanes are good, it's the missing bits that are the weak link in the chain.
There's still no sign of these bus lanes being installed 532 days later.
Cont.
While bus lanes are good, it's the missing bits that are the weak link in the chain.
There's still no sign of these bus lanes being installed 532 days later.
Cont.
2/
For example, in March Newcastle City Council announced a series of Bus Lanes and Red Routes as mitigation against the Tyne Bridge works which started in April.
new.newcastle.gov.uk/news/2024/ne...
Fast forward to today, and they've not delivered these comparatively minor changes.
For example, in March Newcastle City Council announced a series of Bus Lanes and Red Routes as mitigation against the Tyne Bridge works which started in April.
new.newcastle.gov.uk/news/2024/ne...
Fast forward to today, and they've not delivered these comparatively minor changes.
November 10, 2025 at 9:02 AM
We have asked about bus priority lanes, funded by BSIP and already consulted upon, but no further update at this point. In the meantime, bus passengers (and prospective bus passengers sitting in cars) continue to be delayed and inconvenienced by traffic congestion.