£7.2m Government funding to improve bus services across Teesside

The Tees Valley is set to receive a total of £7.2m in government funding to improve its bus services into 2026.

Transport Secretary, Louise Haigh confirmed over the weekend that £712 million funding will be given to local authorities across the country to improve bus services, and a further £243m for bus operators – a longstanding grant paid to keep fares lower and services more frequent than they would otherwise be.

Tees Valley Combined Authority areas are among those receiving funding to improve buses for passengers. The government said that every region in England will benefit from the funding – adding particularly those areas which have been historically underserved, like rural areas and small towns.

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A government statement said: "The funding settlement will mean many more urban areas will be able to maintain their high levels of service – while other areas will be able to offer more services. It represents a record level of recent investment for bus improvements for the majority of areas, alongside once-in-a-generation reform to deliver London-style bus services to every corner of the country.

"The investment has been designated to enhance popular routes, protect rural services and increase bus use for shopping, socialising and commuting. It will prevent service reductions on at-risk routes and improve punctuality across England, to bring an end to the current postcode lottery of unreliable services."

A TVCA spokesperson said the authority is reviewing all services and initiatives supported with the current allocation and will take a decision in due course on how the 25/26 allocation will be spent.

Transport Secretary Louise Haigh said: “The value of regular and reliable bus services cannot be understated. For far too long, the Tees Valley has been suffering from unreliable services with buses hugely delayed, or not even turning up at all. This funding kickstarts the bus revolution to bring an end to the postcode lottery of bus services, drive economic growth and make sure people have proper access to jobs and opportunities. We’ve already committed over £150million to extend the bus fare cap and keep fares low and this nearly £1billion of further funding will mean local routes are protected, reliability is improved and the passenger is put first.”

Luke Myer, MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, said: "This bus funding from the Government is welcome and sorely needed in our area. So many of our rural communities in East Cleveland are trapped in isolation after a decade of routes being cut. It's now vital this funding is put to good use in Teesside so that our communities are not left behind."

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