Calls to create a better public transport network across the Tees Valley amid “broken” bus services appear to have been played down by the region’s mayor. 

The Tees Valley Combined Authority has been urged to devise a plan which puts the future of the regional bus network first following dozens of cuts from local operator Arriva. 

Darlington Council leader, Cllr Steve Harker told members that the current local bus network is “broken” and backed a scheme where local authorities take control over the transport network, similar to those used elsewhere in the country.  

In September, Greater Manchester will benefit from being the first area outside London to have a regulated bus system. The scheme has been set up by Andy Burnham, mayor of the region, following criticism of high ticket prices and a lack of services. 

It means buses will come under control and operate as part of the new ‘Bee Network’, combining bus, tram, train and bike, and will be funded by local and national government.

It is a scheme which Independent candidate for North East mayor, Jamie Driscoll hopes to replicate. But the North’s only Conservative mayor, Ben Houchen, isn't prepared to tax residents for the scheme. 

Cllr Harker said: “Sadly, I understand Mayor Houchen’s position all along has been that he will not even think of the idea of raising a levy across the Tees Valley for funding public services. I think it’s time for the combined authority to have a long hard think about what it will do in the future in regards to funding for buses.”

The council's Labour leader said more support is needed for local bus services, adding: “The money they got from the government in this last strand was £1.5m and that was barely sufficient to fund all of the services that were being cut - that’s the scale of the problem we are facing. It isn’t something that we would sort out locally, it has to be addressed nationally. 

“I fear for the future of the buses at the moment, passenger numbers are falling and we are sleepwalking into a disaster unless something is done - and we can’t do it alone."

Green party councillor Matthew Snedker called on local authorities in the Tees Valley to be more ambitious about improving public transport.

He said: “Andy Burnham has proved we can be more ambitious. I feel that getting public transport right should be one of the primary focuses in the Tees Valley. It brings improvements to education, employment and the local economy.”

Like local Labour members, Cllr Snedker agrees that the government needs to do more.

“The government needs to make a move to reverse the damage to our buses,” he added. 

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But any progress on a new scheme is in doubt due to Mr Houchen’s unwillingness to enforce a transport levy.

“When I was elected in 2017, I made a pledge that I’d never levy a single penny of tax on local people,” mayor Houchen said.

“I recommitted to this promise in my 2021 re-election campaign and I’m proud to have delivered on this promise of no mayoral taxes on local people.

“With many now feeling the squeeze, it’s disappointing - but not surprising - to see Labour councils calling for higher taxes.

"Just as we’ve seen with Labour mayors across the country who force hard-working people to pay for their plans through the likes of the ULEZ scheme in London, taking money from the pockets of local people is one power I will never use and it's a further demonstration of the havoc that would be caused if we had a Labour mayor come next May."