Go North East warns Nexus of quality contract risks

摘要

Go North East has added to operators' criticism of Tyne & Wear PTE Nexus's plans for London-style quality contracts, arguing that a 1% miscalculation of costs or revenue could rack up heavy losses for the transport authority. The GMB and Unite trades unions have also lodged objections, but statutory bus users' watchdog Passenger Focus says some aspects of the Nexus plan could benefit passengers. In its formal response, Go North East says the quality partnership would transfer the financial risks of operating bus services from operators to local taxpayers who could be left with a deepening deficit. It says the contracting regime - with operators bidding for packages of routes - would create an additional layer of bureaucracy and the planned 10-year contracts would make it impossible to respond quickly to new public requirements or changes in bus technology.