Focus of work
North East Combined Authority Mayor, Kim McGuinness, aims to franchise bus services in the region, allowing integration with Metro and local rail services. However, the local elections in May 2026 will transform the make-up of her cabinet, introducing political uncertainty around the bus reform agenda.
This project from NEPTUG will develop a network of local and national campaigning organisations to build the case for franchising in the North East, following the successful ‘Better Buses for Greater Manchester’ campaign. It will hold meetings and briefings to hear from bus users on the failures of the current model and set out the benefits of moving to public control of bus services in the region.
Impact
The window of opportunity for bus franchising (and reintegration of transport) in the North East of England is now. The region’s mayor has started the process, and bringing bus services back under public control would allow the North East Combined Authority to ensure timetables, fares and the identity of public transport (including bus, Metro, local rail and ferry) across the region are fully aligned. This will help to arrest the decline in passenger numbers (and increasing car ownership) in the region.