New Teesside bus service created via £58k funding welcomed by local mayors

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen and Middlesbrough Mayor Andy Preston have helped to kickstart a new bus service to ensure local people working at companies based at Teesport can get to and from their jobs.

Mayor Houchen and the Combined Authority have appointed bus operator Stagecoach to deliver a new bus service. The new route is being backed with £58k in funding from the metro mayor, with the goal of it eventually becoming fully commercially viable.

The service, numbered 101, runs between Middlesbrough Bus Station and Teesport three times a day via Thorntree JobCentre, Eston and South Bank, leaving the town at 5am, 1pm, and 9pm to line up with workers’ shifts.

Mayor Houchen said: “When I first learned about this problem, I wasted no time in asking bus operators to come forward with solutions and I’d like to thank Andy for raising the issue with me. There is no point in helping businesses create jobs in our region if local people don’t have access to them.

“I’m delighted this new service is now up and running and those without a car can get to work and back again quicker and easier than ever before. We’ve worked closely with Stagecoach in the past on projects like our Tees Flex on-demand bus service, and we’re happy to be providing the crucial funding needed to get this service off the ground.

Mayor Preston added: “This fantastic service will help more people in Middlesbrough get to work without hassle or worry, and give even more the opportunity to gain employment at businesses at Teesport.

“I’m over the moon that we’ve been able to find a solution to keep our people moving and improve their lives, and I look forward to hearing about this route’s future success.”

Richard Dowson, 34, from Thorntree, who works at Tesco Distribution at Teesport, said: “I have been cycling to work ever since I started four years ago, so this bus is a big help, especially now in the winter months when the weather is miserable. I have often had to use a taxi which costs more one way than what I am paying for the weekly ticket now!”

David Parker, commercial director at Stagecoach North East, said: “We are delighted to be working alongside Mayor Houchen and the Tees Valley Combined Authority to deliver another transport solution for our area, following the successful introduction of Tees Flex.

“Our bus services provide vital links for local people and are crucial in connecting people with employment opportunities every day.