Considerable progress is being made by Nexus in delivering schemes funded through the Rural Bus Challenge Fund.

£1.255m was awarded under 1998 bid for rural transport interchanges linking interurban and local bus services, care services, taxis and other unconventional modes.

£361,550 became available through the 1999 bid and is being used to install 'Transpods' at selected locations across Tyne and Wear. These are built around a multi-functional touch screen kiosk system and provide an improved passenger waiting environment with on-line information.

£550,150 was granted in the 2000 round and this is being used to extend the provision of electronic information through solar powered 'Transtops'.