Mayor Houchen rules out major reform to Tees Valley buses

Ben Houchen faced renewed calls to look into introducing a franchise system like the Bee Network introduced by Andy Burnham in Greater Manchester. 

But the Conservative mayor said that model remains untested and would cost Tees Valley taxpayers more to fund. 

Mr Houchen said: “Bus franchising is still totally unproven in delivering the improvements for passengers that its proponents claim and would require a mayoral tax to fund it – something I’ve said repeatedly I’ll never introduce.

Ben Houchen faced renewed calls to look into introducing a franchise system like the Bee Network (Image: The Northern Echo)

"However, what we already know is that it comes at a huge cost to the public. We have seen in Greater Manchester how depots and buses have been bought from the private sector at massively inflated prices - all funded by the taxpayer.

“I've always vowed not to make hard-working local people pay more on top of their council tax for the privilege of having a mayor.”

Stephen Harker, leader of Darlington Council, suggested local leaders should look at different ways of running the bus system. 

The Labour councillor told a council meeting: “I think we should ask the public about buses and how they should be funded.

“We need to have a proper conversation nationally about how we fund our bus network and whether or not what we have currently is the best option. I would argue that some form of franchising is better serving the community.”

Cllr Harker, also TVCA cabinet member for Transport, said recent cuts made by bus operators suggest the current system isn’t fit for purpose. “The government has made it very clear that the model currently doesn’t work and is getting worse and worse.”

North East mayor Kim McGuinness recently announced plans to bring buses back into public control – a key power that enables them to set fares, routes, and timetables, with operators contracted to run services under a franchising system. 

Despite North East politicians looking to replicate the Manchester model, mayor Houchen said bus franchising isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach. 

“Manchester’s transport system covers a much bigger area than in our region, so to suggest we could do the same to great success is comparing apples and oranges,” he said. 

The combined authority also warned of potential legal challenges and a significant financial risk. 

Bus franchising in the Tees Valley has been proposed by the past three Labour mayoral candidates but all were defeated by the Conservative candidate. 

“It’s for all these reasons - and the fact there is no firm evidence yet that we’d even see any improvements - that it’s not something we’re considering across Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool,” he added.

However, Mayor Houchen suggested the system could be changed in the future. 

“If other areas can prove beyond doubt that this approach delivers a better service for passengers alongside value for money for taxpayers then it can be considered in the future,” he said. 

The latest calls came as the Tees Valley Combined Authority (TVCA) recently updated its Bus Service Improvement Plan - a key document that sets out the future vision for bus services in the area.

Recent changes to local services include cheaper fares. Anyone aged under 22 can buy a £1 ticket for single journeys and a £3 all-day ticket. The proposal mirrors those already in place across the North East.