Shields ferry evening services suspended as lockdown hits passenger numbers

Operator Nexus says the impact of England’s second lockdown is making the service economically unviable.

From Monday, November 16, the last crossing from North Shields will be at 6.30pm on weekdays and Saturdays.

Nexus says passenger numbers have been significantly reduced due to the current Covid restrictions.

Customer Services Director, Huw Lewis, said: “Reducing services is the last thing that we want to do but our passenger numbers are so low due to Covid-19 restrictions that we have had to review our timetable.

“Ferry crossings are barely being used in the evenings so we have decided to stop running after 6.30pm.

“The Shields Ferry is an iconic and a vital local transport link, but the route requires a public subsidy to keep it going. We have to ensure that the money we spend on this service is not wasted, which is why we are making these temporary changes to the timetable.

“This reduction in service will be kept under review and as lockdown measures ease off then we can look into restoring the evening crossings when the time is right.

“Customers will still be able to use the service as usual during the day and we are not taking off any early morning services.”

The new Shields Ferry timetable will mean the last crossing of the day from North Shields will be at 6.30pm Monday to Saturday.

The ferry timetable on Sundays is not changing and services will continue to end at 6pm.

Full information can be found at www.nexus.org.uk/ferry

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