The first North East buses under public control are unlikely to be running until late 2029, if huge reforms go ahead, writes Local Democracy Reporter, Daniel Holland.
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.
Doing so 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.
There have been repeated complaints across the region over recent years about cuts to bus routes deemed not commercially viable by operators and major disruption caused by strikes.
The Labour mayor pledged in her manifesto to have the buses under public control in a new ‘Angel Network’ by 2028, the year that the next mayoral election is due to be held.
But there have long been warnings that the vast overhaul of public transport will be a complex and lengthy process, unless the Government allows for schemes to be fast-tracked.
Members of the NECA overview and scrutiny committee heard on Tuesday that a Franchising Scheme Assessment (FSA) ordered by the mayor last year is still being prepared.
That is expected to be presented back to the mayor and her cabinet early in 2026 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.
NECA transport director Tobyn Hughes told the committee that, if that went ahead as planned, the first franchised buses would likely run from late 2029.
A spokesperson for the North East Combined Authority, said: “The Mayor started the project to bring buses under public control on day one in office, and set out the indicative timetable at Cabinet in July 2024 when she launched the Franchising Scheme Assessment process. She will make the decision on whether or not to implement the franchising scheme which brings buses under public control during 2027.
“The wider project to launch the Angel network and improve buses is well under way. Single bus fares have been capped at £2.50 for adults in the North East, 50p below the national fare cap, and next year Pop smart ticketing is being upgraded to introduce fare capping across bus, metro and ferry journeys with links to bank accounts, so people no longer have to keep topping their cards up. 2026 will also see a new online integrated journey planning tool.
“We are also working to roll-out new buses across the region – additional electric buses are on order to come into service early in the new year – with 19 routes using zero emission vehicles.”
Daniel Holland
Reporter for the Local Democracy Reporter Service.
South West Durham News covering news across County Durham.
