County Durham communities deserve a “proper network of bus services”, a council has been told amid calls for regional regulation, writes Local Democracy Reporter, Bill Edgar.
Bus passengers across County Durham have repeatedly complained about delays to services and cuts to bus routes deemed not commercially viable by operators.
Passenger satisfaction among bus users in the county improved between 2023 and 2025, with more than 80 per cent of passengers happy with the service provided, but transport officials have been urged to develop a better system.
Councillor Chris Lines, Independent member for Sedgefield, told a committee debating County Durham’s transport policies that rural areas are currently “missing out” due to a lack of services.
He said: “It’s good to see bus patronage rising, and I hope that is sustained when we have a fit-for-purpose network of services. I’m grateful for the work the council is doing to reinstate some of the lost routes.
“But, in the last few months, we have continued to see the likes of Arriva suggest changes that are wholly unacceptable and make routes even worse – and that is going to have a negative impact on the public’s faith in services.
“Ultimately, we need a proper network of scheduled bus services between our communities, particularly in the rural areas that are missing out at the moment. The sooner that the North East mayor can bring bus services back under public control, the better.”
North East mayor Kim McGuinness set plans in motion on her first day in office to seize power over the region’s bus network back from private companies, reversing the deregulation of the 1980s.
The move would allow the North East Combined Authority (NECA) to set bus fares, routes and timetables, with operators contracted to run services under the kind of franchising system introduced by Andy Burnham in Greater Manchester.
But last year, the Labour politician admitted that North East buses under public control are unlikely to be running until late 2029.
And Cathy Knight, the council’s integrated transport manager, said bus regulation isn’t a “magic wand and a panacea” to improving services.
She told the committee: “We are continually addressing the quality, punctuality and reliability issues on a daily basis. If there are gaps in the network, we can have a look at what solutions might be available.
“I don’t want you to think everything will be wonderful after bus reform because it depends on what you get out of it.”
But not all councillors are convinced by the proposed reforms. “I don’t think franchising is going to work here because it’s going to affect the taxpayer,” said Reform Cllr Adrian Schulman.
A Franchising Scheme Assessment (FSA) ordered by the mayor in 2024 is still being prepared and, if approved, the reforms will then require a full audit and a public consultation, before the final decision is made on whether to proceed in 2027.
Bill Edgar
Reporter for the Local Democracy Reporter Service.
South West Durham News covering news across County Durham.
