The Shields Ferry operates across the River Tyne between North Shields and South Shields. The River Tyne is a River in England. It is formed by the confluence of two rivers the North Tyne and the South Tyne. The River Tyne is a River in England. It is formed by the confluence of two rivers the North Tyne and the South Tyne. North Shields (or locally just Shields) is a town on the north bank of the River Tyne, in the metropolitan borough of North Tyneside, in North South Shields is a coastal town in Tyne and Wear, England, located at the mouth of the River Tyne. The service is operated by Nexus (The Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Executive) and is part of the Tyne and Wear Metro System. The Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Executive (TWPTE using the brandname of Nexus is the Passenger Transport Executive for the metropolitan county of Tyne and The Tyne and Wear Metro is a metro system serving stations in Newcastle upon Tyne, Gateshead, South Tyneside North Tyneside and Sunderland, Known as The Market Place Ferry until takeover by the PTE in 1972.
Although many believe it, The Shields Ferry is not connected in anyway to the nearby Customs House. This may be down to the fact that the establishment offers one-way ticket refunds or simply because of its close proximity.
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Service
There have been ferries across the Tyne since the 14th century, and this is the only service that remains. The ferry service makes just under 25,000 journeys a year, and carries nearly a million passengers a year. There are two vessels that operate the service, currently; The Pride of the Tyne (1993) and The Spirit of the Tyne (2007). Usually only one ferry is in operation at a time, although both will be used during peak periods to operate a shuttle service. Also, if The Pride of the Tyne is in use of Private Hire/Rivertrip etc. the Spirit of the Tyne will operate the standard ferry service. Each trip, the Shields Ferry travels approx. 0. 48miles (0. 77km) across the river.
Vessels
Freda Cunningham
The Freda Cunningham was the first ferry to be commissioned and was in use when the ferry service was called the "Market Place Ferry". This vessel had a county-wide reputation for its poor performance. It was frequently out of service and some even claimed the vessel was haunted because of this. The ferry's name comes from the name of the then mayors wife, Freda Cunningham. It was commissioned in 1972 and sold in 1993 when the Pride of The Tyne came into service.
Shieldsman
The Shieldsman was built by Hancock Shipbuilders of Pembroke Dock and entered service in 1976. The ferry is double ended, and can operate either way, however they typically work one way, and turn around as part of the crossing over the Tyne. It can carry 350 passengers in public service, or a reduced capacity of 250 on private hire. The Shieldsman was retired early in 2007, at the age of 30, to be replaced by the new The Spirit of the Tyne. Nexus has plans to sell the Shieldsman on internet auction website, ebay. eBay Inc is an American Internet company that manages eBaycom an Online auction and shopping Website in which people and businesses buy and [1]
The Pride of the Tyne
The Pride of the Tyne was built by Swan Hunters in nearby Wallsend and entered service in 1993. Wallsend is a town in North Tyneside, Tyne and Wear, England. It was a modified version of the Shieldsman and cost £1. 5 million. The vessel also has a bar, The Admirals Locker, that is available on private hire. The vessel was also the first river ferry to incorporate all of the new safety features introduced after the Marchioness disaster in 1989. The Marchioness disaster occurred on the River Thames in London, England, in the early hours of 20 August 1989, when the pleasure
The Spirit of the Tyne
A new ferry, The Spirit of the Tyne, entered service in 2007, replacing the Shieldsman, which was retired after 30 years. The new ferry is an 'off the shelf' product and differs greatly from the Shieldsman and The Pride of the Tyne.
Landings
South Shields Ferry Landing
The services uses two landing stages, South Shields Ferry Landing was opened in July 1999 to replace a century old landing. South Shields is a coastal town in Tyne and Wear, England, located at the mouth of the River Tyne. July 1999 was a month with thirty-one days The following events also occurred during the month The landing provides three berths as well as an indoor waiting room and offices.
North Shields Ferry Landing
North Shields Ferry Landing was opened in July 2004 providing better accessibility and passenger waiting facilities than its predecessor which was built in a similar style to Tyne and Wear Metro Stations. North Shields (or locally just Shields) is a town on the north bank of the River Tyne, in the metropolitan borough of North Tyneside, in North July 2004: January - February - March - April - May - June - July - August - September The Tyne and Wear Metro is a metro system serving stations in Newcastle upon Tyne, Gateshead, South Tyneside North Tyneside and Sunderland,
Future Landings
Currently, there are plans for a landing stage to be added at Royal Quays International Ferry Terminal but these plans have been on the table for years.
Users
The service is used by many commuters mainly from North Tyneside and South Tyneside. North Tyneside is a Metropolitan borough of Tyne and Wear in the North East of England. South Tyneside is a Metropolitan borough in Tyne and Wear in North East England. The service provides a viable alternative to travelling via Newcastle city centre on the Tyne and Wear Metro or the Tyne Tunnel. The Tyne and Wear Metro is a metro system serving stations in Newcastle upon Tyne, Gateshead, South Tyneside North Tyneside and Sunderland, The Tyne Tunnel is a two-lane toll vehicular Tunnel under the River Tyne England, completed in 1967 and connecting The Shields Ferry can be used by cyclists and is part of the National Cycle Network. The National Cycle Network is a network of cycle routes in the United Kingdom. All of the vessels in service with Nexus can carry wheelchairs.
Ticketing
Because Shields Ferry is operated by Nexus which also operate the Tyne and Wear Metro, ticketing is integrated with the Metro ticketing system. The Tyne and Wear Metro is a metro system serving stations in Newcastle upon Tyne, Gateshead, South Tyneside North Tyneside and Sunderland, Metro passes and tickets are valid on the Ferry as well as Tyne and Wear Network Tickets and Day Rovers. New style Transfare tickets can be purchased allowing one-way travel on Shields Ferry and either a bus or Metro. Tickets are purchased when boarding the ferry.
External links
Nexus Information Page
Ferry timetable PDF
| West: | Crossings of the River Tyne | East: |
|---|---|---|
| Tyne Tunnel | Shields Ferry |
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