Sunderland Public Transport User Group Agenda 27/03/25

Sunderland Public Transport User Group (SPTUG)
Meeting Minutes

Date: Thursday, 27th March 2025

Time: 16:45

Venue: The Fan Museum, Sunderland

Chair: Alec McFadden

Attendees:
● Councillor Linzi Lenard
● Phil Young
● Martin Harrison
● John Burke (GMB)
● Chris Lawlor (GMB)
● Simon Burdus
● Helmut Izaks (PCS)
● Norman Jemison (UCU)
● Alan Lubbock (Unite)
● Alec McFadden (GMB)
● Steve Fairfax (NE PTUG)
● Vicky Gilbert (NE PTUG )

Agenda:
1. Welcome from Chair and Opening Remarks (Alec McFadden)
2. Confirmation of the Minutes of Last Meeting Held 30 January 2025
3. Matters Arising
4. Sunderland Bus Board (Cllr Lindsey Leonard and John Burke)
5. Result of NE Public Transport Consultation (Alec McFadden and Chris Lawlor)
6. Election of SPTUG Secretary
7. Taxi Driver Issues and Licensing
8. Any Other Business
9. Suggested Date of Next Meeting – Thursday 29 May 2025

Minutes:
1. Welcome and Opening Remarks:
● Chair Alec McFadden welcomed all members and officers from NEPTUG (Steve Fairfax
and Vicky Gilbert) who were attending for a specific item.

2. NEPTUG Affiliation Discussion:
● Alec McFadden invited Steve Fairfax and Vicky Gilbert from NEPTUG to address the
meeting.
● Vicky Gilbert introduced herself and Steve Fairfax, explaining that NEPTUG is the
umbrella organisation for Public Transport User Groups in Tyne & Wear, Durham, and
Northumberland. It has been operating for several years, opposing privatisation and
campaigning for public control of public transport.
● Vicky Gilbert expressed NEPTUG’s positive impression of the work and relationships
SPTUG had established since its formation in spring 2024 and invited all present to join
and affiliate with NEPTUG.
● Phil Young inquired about the advantages of joining and requested a copy of NEPTUG’s
constitution.
● Chris Lawlor highlighted SPTUG’s strong organisation, representation on the Sunderland
Bus Board, working relationship with Sunderland City Council, and the excellent
submission made to the NE Mayor’s transport consultation.
● Vicky Gilbert stated that NEPTUG had a good input with the Mayor and that affiliation
offered the opportunity to attend NEPTUG’s regular meetings with other user groups.
● Chair Alec McFadden asked if anyone opposed working with NEPTUG or other
geographical user groups. No objections were raised.
● Alec McFadden suggested that those wishing to join NEPTUG should complete the
forms provided by Vicky Gilbert, and the newly elected SPTUG Secretary would forward
the information.
● Vicky Gilbert thanked the meeting for the opportunity to meet and expressed hope that
SPTUG would join NEPTUG. Steve Fairfax and Vicky Gilbert then left the meeting.
● Chair Alec McFadden welcomed Alan Lubbock, who is from Sunderland and had stayed
to become a member of SPTUG.
● A brief further discussion took place regarding SPTUG’s views on NEPTUG affiliation.
Norman Jemison completed a membership form. No decision was made on formal
membership or sending representatives to NEPTUG meetings at this time.

3. Confirmation of Previous Minutes:
● The minutes of the meeting held on 30 January 2025 were agreed as a true record.

4. Sunderland Bus Board (Cllr Lindsey Leonard and John Burke):
● John Burke had been unable to attend the last Sunderland Bus Board meeting; however,
both Cllr Lindsey Leonard and Chris Lawlor had attended.
● Concern was expressed that the gap between Sunderland Bus Board meetings had
been five months, which was considered regrettable, and City Councillors were seeking
improvement.
● Cllr Lindsey Leonard and Chris Lawlor both expressed disappointment with the quality,
organisation, and lack of substance of the meeting.
● The poor level of punctuality of bus services in Sunderland was highlighted as a
significant issue that generated criticism from the public and did not encourage
enthusiasm for public ownership. It was reported that 75% of bus routes experienced
delays of up to 5 minutes, with Sundays being particularly problematic.
● The reasons provided for the delays were stock shortages and maintenance difficulties.
● Phil Young suggested publicising the poor punctuality and involving the Traffic
Commissioner, which was agreed. Phil Young felt the problems had worsened since
Covid.
● Cllr Lindsey Leonard mentioned that a new ticketing and information system was due to
start soon and might lead to improvements. However, the contradiction of promoting Bus
Lanes when bus services were irregular was highlighted.
● It was agreed that Cllr Lindsey Leonard would investigate the role and actions of the
Traffic Commissioner.
● The date of the next Bus Board meeting was confirmed as 16th April. Cllr Lindsey
Leonard and Chris Lawlor could attend, but John Burke would be on holiday. Chair Alec
McFadden suggested Phil Young as the replacement, which was agreed.

5. Report of the NE Mayor’s Public Transport Consultation:
● Norman Jemison, Alec McFadden, and Chris Lawlor reported on the meeting of NPC
officers with the NE Mayor, Kim McGuinness. Over 16,000 submissions had been
received, representing the largest Public Transport Consultation in UK history.
● It was noted that the two most comprehensive submissions were from NPC and
Sunderland PTUG, and Kim McGuinness praised their quality. Some proposals were
likely to be adopted, including the involvement of Taxis in future transport planning and
the Washington Loop.
● Most attendees present made positive points about the consultation and the progress
made by the Mayor and Deputy Mayor in less than 12 months in their roles.
● Chair Alec McFadden asked if the meeting wished to formally thank and congratulate
both Kim McGuinness and Cllr Martin Gannon. Norman Jemison proposed this, Chris
Lawlor seconded, and it was agreed unanimously by SPTUG.

6. Election of SPTUG Secretary:
● Chair Alec McFadden expressed the view that after nearly 12 months, it was time to
formally elect a secretary for the organisation, which was agreed.
● Chris Lawlor was elected as the Secretary unanimously.
● Norman Jemison then proposed the re-election of the current Chair, Alec McFadden
(who would have been in post for one year), for a further year. This was seconded by
Martin Harrison and agreed unanimously.

7. Taxi Driver Issues and Licensing:
● Cllr Lindsey Leonard updated the group that Dawn Howley had provided information
regarding the 5-year age limit for licensed taxi vehicles, which had now been withdrawn.
A Northeast-wide unified policy was gaining support, which would be welcomed by taxi
drivers.

8. Any Other Business:
● 8.1 Cycling: Alan Lubbock provided a critical update on cycle lane development and the
potential for integrating cycles with public transport on buses and metros. A wide range
of opinions were expressed, and it was suggested to invite Geoff Wade to the May
meeting.
● 8.2 Public Transport Hancock Museum Event: A degree of criticism was raised
regarding the lack of invitation to Unions for a recent Public Transport event at the
Hancock Museum, while bus operators had attended. Chair Alec McFadden asked if the
group should consider inviting representatives of bus companies to their meetings. There
were no objections, and it was agreed to do so.

9. Suggested Date of Next Meeting:
● The date of the next meeting was confirmed as Thursday, 29th May, at 4:45 pm.
The meeting ended at 6:50 pm.