Plans for a “bus revolution” which would enable a joined-up Tees Valley-wide service with control over fares, routes and frequencies have been welcomed by the area’s newly elected and re-elected Labour MPs.

New Transport Secretary Lou Haigh has declared “change starts now” and that “local bus services have been neglected for far too long” and “this new Government will deliver better buses up and down the country by giving every community the power to take back control of their local services”.

The proposals would allow the towns and villages of the Tees Valley to introduce a model similar to the Bee Network which is being rolled out across Greater Manchester by Mayor Andy Burnham.

Whereas previously Greater Manchester was served by 30 different operators with 150 different ticket types, the Bee Network offers single fares costing no more than £2 regardless of the distance or duration of the journey.

The policy of the newly installed Labour Government to allow Local Transport Authorities to introduce franchising or public ownership would be a “game changer” according to Tees Valley Labour MPs.

They said a fully integrated public transport system for the region would help unlock growth and opportunity and give everyone affordable access to town centres and the area’s attractions across coast and countryside.

Middlesbrough and Thornaby East MP Andy McDonald said: “I am delighted that our new Transport Secretary has engrossed our ambitions for taking back control of buses into government policy.

“This will allow us in our communities to have our say about where our buses go, when they run and at what cost. Being able to get to work, college, to health facilities, to shops and our night-time venues is not only key to being able to have flourishing lives, but will also give a massive boost economically and socially. And that’s what we want it for the Tees Valley.”

Darlington MP Lola McEvoy said: “Our current bus system is having a detrimental impact on older and disabled people in Darlington. Time and again on the doorstep and on the phones people told me about waiting in the rain for a bus that didn’t arrive. In the end, people just stop using them. We will get back to a bus service people in Darlington can rely on and take for granted. I’m pleased to see this is a top priority for our Labour Government.

Redcar MP Anna Turley said: “We have seen so many bus routes cut over the last 14 years in Redcar and Cleveland and many communities left cut off and people isolated. At last we are putting local communities back at the heart of our local bus services so they serve people not profit.”

Hartlepool MP Jonathan Brash said: “Bus services in Hartlepool have seen a steady decline over the last 14 years, with parts of our town no longer served in any meaningful way by public transport.

“This is bad for residents, bad for communities and bad for our local economy. It’s time to put bus services back in the hands of the public and not the profiteers. This announcement represents the change Labour is already delivering for our town, our region and our country.”

Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland MP Luke Myer said: “So many of our communities have been left isolated by cuts to bus services over the last decade, particularly our rural villages in East Cleveland. People desperately need regular bus services that they can rely on. This policy shift is a chance for real change – we must work together with local leaders to seize this opportunity.”

Stockton North MP Chris McDonald said: “Community control of buses would be of great benefit to residents across Stockton North, particularly in areas such as Port Clarence and parts of Billingham and Wynyard that have limited services.

“Putting buses back in the service of local people will help young people take advantage of the new work opportunities that Labour are delivering to our region, throught the National Wealth Fund.”

Transport Secretary Ms Haigh said: “Buses are the lifeblood of communities, but the system is broken.

“Too often, passengers are left waiting hours for buses that don’t turn up – and some have been cut off altogether.
“Change starts now. This new government ill give local leaders the tools they need to deliver better buses up and down the country.

“Our plan will create and save vital bus routes by giving every community the power to take back control of their bus services through franchising or public ownership.

“We are already seeing how the Bee Network is delivering for people across Greater Manchester – we will ensure every community can enjoy the same benefits.”