Sunderland Public User Transport User Group Meeting at The Fans Museum! 17/07/2024

Chair, Alec McFadden welcomed all the members present to the second meeting of the SPTUG, this is a special day for transport activists. The Labour Government was announced in the Kings Speech that the Railways will be re-nationalised, and the Private Bus Companies and the Better Bus Bill will allow locally elected Mayors to take bus services back in house.
This all means that Public Transport User Groups have a key role to play in partnership with Public Railways and Local Mayors.

Alec thanked Michael Ganley the founding member of The Fan Museum for his hospitality in allowing the meeting to be held in the Fan Museum and providing the finger buffet.

All present made a brief introduction and their interest in Public Transport, including Councillor Lindsey Leonard, the lead Sunderland City Councillor for Transport

Michael Ganley our host made an excellent presentation on the work of the Fan Museum in terms of Sunderland football fans and also his work with a large local group of men with mental health issues. Michael has a support group of volunteers to help with this vitally sensitive and important work. Michael statement ended with loud applause, and Cllr L. Leonard suggested the possibility of obtaining some funding from City Council.

Matters arising;
Stage Coach bus time tabling, John Burke, a GMB bus driver, outlined the problems that the staff and the public transport users were encountering with time tabling and spasmodic acts of violence on some outlying estates.
In the discussion it was agreed to involve the community Police and refer to the Sunderland Bus Board.

NE Combine Authority Public Transport Strategy
Alec reported that as a result of the Labour Governments Kings Speach will has put forward 40 Parliamentary Legislative Bills. This includes bringing back the Railways into public ownership and transferring private bus companies to Combine Authorities and Regional Authorities. Therefore, Cllr Martin Gannon, the Deputy Mayor of NE, combine authority responsible for transport has been tied up with media duties and will attend a future meeting.

A general discussion then took place around the needs of public transport in the Northeast. All present were fully supportive of the re-nationalisation of the railways and train service. In particular, the need to involve Washington within the Metro Network. Also, the isolation of Sunderland in terms of direct mainline trains to London. If economic growth is to start in Sunderland a massive investment programme is required .

Both Norman and John raised the issue of the 9-30 am pensioner curfew on buses services in Tyne & Wear. Why are empty buses driving around after school students are dropped off at schools. This was fully supported by those at meeting and Alec and Norman who are leading a delegation to meet the NE Mayor next week will raise this point. Cllr Leonard said this could be raised at Sunderland Bus Board.

Norman raised the fact that in Tyne & Wear concessionary Travel Cards were not provided until 67 years of age. However, in Gt Man, Merseyside, Wales and Lancashire they were awarded at 60 years. This is clearly a “levelling up” issue and will be raised with NE Mayor and Bus Board.

Phil spoke about the Washington Metro extension and that more thought needed to be had to make this a real success. He offered to do more research into this and would bring planes to future meeting. This was agreed.

Finally, Phil raised the issue of the Metro colour scheme, which is black & white (the colours of Newcastle United). He has checked all the other Metropolitan travel centres; none are Black & White or the colours of their local football teams. This will be an item for next meeting.

Northeast PTUG, Paul Baker, the regional Secretary gave a comprehensive history and stressed the need to continue to involve the travelling public and retain democracy. We now have PTUGs across the whole region and every town & city in Tyne & Wear. The NE PTUG is working towards a regional conference/workshop with Kim McGuinness the main speaker. All local town and city PTUGs were welcome to join NE region. Some membership forms were handed out.
Alec from the chair congratulated the current regional secretary & chair for their excellent work, and it was agreed both invited to attend SPTUG meetings as observers.

Sunderland Bus Board, Cllr Lindsey Leonard is the chair of Sunderland Bus Board and lead councillor for Transport in Sunderland. Lindsey agreed that the SPTUG should have two places on the bus board which could alternate depending on the issues on the agenda. Alec nominated John Burke, a local bus driver and GMB member, this was seconded by Sean Kelly and agreed. Lindsey hoped that a representative panel could be involved including, young travellers and disabled people.

The meeting closed 6-45pm.