The UK government is investing an additional 45.6 million GBP in delivering more reliable, punctual and cheaper bus services in the North East.
This latest funding boost will support Transport North East in delivering its bus service improvement plan (BSIP) to provide better transport connections across the region.
This announcement follows an initial government investment of 117.8 million GBP, bringing its total funding to improve bus services in the North East to 163.5 million GBP since 2022.
Councillor Martin Gannon, Chair of the North East Joint Transport Committee, said:I‘m pleased to welcome this funding, which brings our region’s total bus service improvement plan award to £163.5 million. Our region came together and created a truly ambitious BSIP, so I’m delighted that our determination to improve the transport network for passengers has been recognised.
This funding will help us to bring forward a range of initiatives that make bus travel much more affordable and easier to use for all, as well as allow us to support the bus industry through some very difficult times in the wake of the recent pandemic.
This announcement comes shortly after the launch of Transport North East’s recent scheme to cap bus fares at 1 GBP for all under 22s.
Meanwhile, the UK government has invested more than 3.5 billion GBP in protecting bus routes in England outside London and enabling all passengers to ‘Get Around for £2’ for single trips until November.
Roads Minister Richard Holden said:Tens of thousands of people across Tyne and Wear, Northumberland and County Durham rely on the bus to get around every day. That’s why we’re confirming over £45 million to improve local bus services and help build the modern, reliable and affordable bus network all residents in the North East deserve.
