Member Article

Go North East launches ‘Say Yes Now’ campaign

The region’s largest bus operator, Go North East, today announced the launch of a high-profile campaign to rally supporters against new bus operating contracts proposed by theTyneand Wear Integrated Transport Authority (ITA) and Nexus, its passenger transport executive.

Go North East wants to encourage passengers, businesses and local politicians to consider a more positive alternative to the proposed contracts, in the shape of its ‘Charter for Positive Change’.

Martin Harris, commercial director of Go North East said:

“Go North East has been a major local employer in the North East for almost 100 years, currently employing over 2200 local people and carrying 72 million passengers per year.

“The key to our success has been listening to our customers and actively looking for ways we can continually improve choice. This approach earned us one of the highest customer satisfaction ratings in the country from the government’s passenger watchdog. This is at the heart of our Charter.”

The Go North East Charter for Positive Change is a set of ideas that have been suggested by staff, customers and partners about areas for potential improvements. The Charter has been published on a newly created campaign website, www.sayyesnow.co.uk where people are being asked to show their support by signing up to the charter online.

Harris adds:

“We’re not opposed to change, in fact we thrive on it and we have earned a solid reputation for our fresh, innovative and inclusive approach to running local buses. At a time when pressure has never been greater on public spending, industry and the public sector must work together to protect the local economy and local jobs.

“That’s why we believe a partnership approach to operating bus services is the best option forTyneand Wear. Franchises under a Quality Contract scheme may work in the unique case of London, but they cost ratepayers ten times the amount spent on public transport in the North East. A Partnership represents a pragmatic, lower risk and affordable option for taking bus services forward inTyneand Wear.”

He says, “The franchising approach will reduce customer choice in service and prices, not increase it. For example, the heavy financial support needed by the Metro might lead to bus passengers being given no choice but to change from using the bus to the Metro and losing their flexibility.

“Our Charter for Positive Change presents a real alternative to the ITA’s proposals. Saying yes to the charter means saying ‘yes’ to affordable improvements in bus services, a new, more transparent approach to involvement in decisions about bus services, the simplicity of customer driven services and the value for money that healthy competition brings.

“It also means saying no to costly and unnecessary increases in bureaucratic control at a time when public funds are stretched to the limit.”

For more information on the campaign and to sign up to the Charter for Positive Change visit www.sayyesnow.co.uk

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Admiral PR .