Huge reforms that would see the North East’s bus network brought back under public control have moved a step closer to reality, writes Local Democracy Reporter, Daniel Holland.
Council leaders agreed to proceed to the next stage of regional mayor Kim McGuinness’ ‘Angel Network’ vision to take power over bus routes, fares, and timetables away from private companies.
It comes after an assessment found that bus travel would be cheaper and services “significantly” better used under a franchising model.
Since the deregulation of the 1980s, the North East’s bus network has been largely run by private operators like Arriva, Stagecoach, and Go North East.
But a franchise system, like the one introduced in Greater Manchester by Andy Burnham, would mean that the North East Combined Authority (NECA) would be able to set fares, routes and timetables, with operators having to bid for contracts to run services to a set specification.
After agreement by the cabinet at a meeting in South Shields on Tuesday, the plans will now proceed to an independent audit and public consultation.
A final decision to go ahead with the reforms is then expected to be made in early 2027, with the first franchised buses in service by autumn 2029.
Ms McGuinness told colleagues on Tuesday that the decline of the region’s bus network had left communities cut off, particularly in rural areas, and that change “has to come”.
Annual passenger journeys in the North East have fallen by 31% over the last 15 years and overall bus mileage by 24 million miles per year.
The NECA cabinet voted unanimously to move to the next stage of the franchising, despite reservations from non-Labour members.
Glen Sanderson, the Tory leader of Northumberland County Council, said he had held concerns about the franchise model but his mind had since been put at ease.
Reform UK’s Andrew Husband, leader of Durham County Council, also expressed “genuine reservations” and wanted to “make sure this works for County Durham” before giving it final approval.
By the time the final decision to proceed with the reforms comes around next year, the balance of power in the NECA cabinet could be very different.
Upcoming local elections in May mean that Labour-run Newcastle, Sunderland, Gateshead, and South Tyneside councils could all change hands.
Martin Gannon, Labour leader of Gateshead Council, told the meeting at South Shields FC’s 1st Cloud Arena that public control over buses was “100% the thing we need to do”.
He added: “We have seen the decline over the last 40 years and currently in terms of public funding into the operator, the current figure is £119 million. We have £119 million coming from council taxpayers, our residents, to provide them with a service which is in decline. As we have seen from the projections going forward, if we do nothing that decline continues.”
Daniel Holland
Reporter for the Local Democracy Reporter Service.
South West Durham News covering news across County Durham.
I have been complaining for years about the removal of a bus service through Henknowle in Bishop Auckland. Arrive stopped there buses about 6 years ago. There are many elderly and disabled people on our estate who now must rely on relatives to get about or just stay in. It’s an absolute disgrace. Arriva said they could use the stops on Watling Road but many can’t walk there!