Views sought on public bus control

People across the North East are being invited to help shape the future of the region’s bus network under proposals to bring services back into public control for the first time in more than 40 years.

The North East Mayoral Strategic Authority (North East MSA) has launched a public consultation on plans to franchise more than 500 bus routes, giving residents the opportunity to comment on proposals that could transform how bus services are planned, operated and managed across the region.

If approved, the Bus Franchising Scheme would see mayor Kim McGuinness take responsibility for setting routes, timetables, fares and service standards, while bus operators would continue to run services under contract rather than on a commercial basis.

The proposals form part of the mayor’s commitment to improve public transport and reverse years of declining bus services. 

Since 2010, the North East’s bus network has contracted by almost a third, with many routes becoming less frequent, losing evening and weekend services or disappearing altogether.

Under the plans, the mayor has pledged to protect bus services from cuts for at least ten years and instead focus on expanding the network. 

Mayor McGuinness 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 proposed changes would represent the biggest overhaul of bus services in the North East since deregulation in the 1980s.

The consultation follows unanimous backing from the North East MSA Cabinet in March to progress the franchising proposals.

An accompanying Scheme Assessment compared the proposed franchising model with the current Enhanced Partnership between local authorities and bus operators. 

It concluded that franchising offers the best route to delivering a more reliable, affordable and integrated bus network, while remaining commercially viable and providing value for money.

Potential benefits outlined in the consultation include simpler fares, improved connections between buses, Metro and rail services, more consistent safety standards, a single source of journey information and greater opportunities for communities to influence future network changes.

The proposals also acknowledge the additional responsibilities that would transfer to the Mayoral Strategic Authority, including managing fare income, operating costs and subsidies, alongside overseeing a network carrying around 317,500 passengers each day across more than 500 routes.

Henry Kippin, chief executive of the North East MSA, added: “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.”

Bus franchising has already been introduced in Greater Manchester and is being rolled out in West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, Liverpool and the West Midlands, while London has operated a similar model for decades.

The consultation runs until September 28, with more than 30 public events taking place across the North East alongside an online survey and paper response forms. 

Officials hope the process will build on the strong public backing for a more integrated, reliable and sustainable transport network expressed during consultation on the mayor’s Local Transport Plan last year.

The consultation is open until 9am on Monday, September 28, with residents able to share their views online at northeast-ca.gov.uk/haveyoursay.

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