People in North East England are being asked if they support plans to bring more than 500 bus routes back into public control, as Mayor Kim McGuinness sets out proposals to end decades of cuts and create a single, affordable, safe and convenient network.
The North East Mayoral Strategic Authority (North East MSA) today launched a major public consultation on a proposed Bus Franchising Scheme, following Mayor Kim’s’ pledge to improve buses for people in the North East when she was first elected.
Under the proposals, the Mayor would commit to protect bus services from cuts for 10 years, seeking instead to grow services after decades of decline which have seen routes and passenger numbers shrink by almost a third.
Mayor Kim said: “When I was elected Mayor, I made it my first priority to bring buses under public control so they work better for the people who rely on them. I know too many people feel buses aren’t reliable, affordable or easy to use. I want to change that and give people the world class public transport we deserve.
“The consultation is an opportunity to hear directly from people right across the North East, whether or not they currently use the bus. This is your chance to shape the future of bus services in our region.”
The North East MSA’s Cabinet agreed unanimously in March to open the Bus Franchising Scheme plans to consultation, paving the way for what would be the biggest change to public transport for four decades.
The consultation will last until 28 September with more than 30 consultation events planned across the North East and dedicated web pages set up to collect responses at northeast-ca.gov.uk/haveyoursay. People can also complete consultation forms on paper if the prefer, and these are available by calling 0191 277 4223.
The MSA proposal for bus franchising would see buses brought under public control for the first time since the 1980s, with public authorities led by the Mayor setting routes, timetables, fares and service standards. Bus companies would run services under contract rather than as private commercial operators as they do now.
Bus is by far the best-used form of public transport in the North East, with more than 115 million journeys made in 2024/25.
But since 2010 alone the bus network has shrunk by almost a third through routes becoming less frequent, no longer operating at evenings or weekend or being cut altogether by operators.
Initiatives like the £2.50 Mayor’s Fare introduced thanks to financial support paid to bus operators, has helped address some of the decline but the franchising proposal goes much further.
The consultation launched today asks people what they think about the proposed Bus Franchising Scheme and whether it could help create a better, more reliable and more joined-up bus network for the North East.
The MSA has prepared a Scheme Assessment which compares the proposed Bus Franchising Scheme with continuing under the current Enhanced Partnership agreed between local authorities and bus companies.
The Assessment concludes that the proposed Bus Franchising Scheme is the best way to achieve the region’s objectives for improving bus services, as well as being good value for money, affordable, commercially viable and deliverable.
The consultation also asks people to consider the responsibilities and risks involved in bus franchising. These include the Mayoral Strategic Authority taking on greater financial responsibility for the bus network, including managing costs, income from fares and subsidy, as well as keeping around 317,500 bus passengers a day informed, safe and looked after across more than 500 individual bus routes.
Henry Kippin, Chief Executive of the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority, said: “We are asking people what they think of our proposals to bring buses back under public control through a franchise, compared to continuing to work under the current partnership with private companies.
“We want people across the North East to consider our plans, including the new responsibilities and risks we would take on. Feedback from this consultation will be considered in detail before the Mayor and cabinet decide on whether to proceed with the proposed Bus Franchising Scheme.”
Franchising has been introduced in Greater Manchester in the last three years, and is also being introduced in West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, Liverpool and the West Midlands. Bus services in Greater London have been delivered through a similar model since the 1980s.
The proposals put forward by the MSA could mean:
- Simpler tickets and better value for money
- Routes and timetables planned more consistently helping buses, trains and Metro connect better across the network
- More consistent safety measures
- One place to find journey information
- A clearer and more recognisable network identity
- Greater opportunity for local people and communities to influence future changes to the bus network.
When the Mayor’s Local Transport Plan was consulted on in 2025, more than 16,000 people across the North East shared what matters most to them about transport. Strong support emerged for a greener, more integrated network that works for everyone.
This consultation is the next opportunity for people to shape what happens next for their local transport.
People can take part in the consultation by completing the public survey at northeast-ca.gov.uk/haveyoursay.
The consultation closes at 9am on Monday 28th September 2026.
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