Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen has invited children from the North East to name and design new Stagecoach buses.

The Mayor and Stagecoach North East have teamed up to launch a competition giving children the chance to make their mark on a new fleet of zero-emission buses. 

Children from across the region are being invited to flex their creativity by coming up with names for the new buses and submitting zebra-themed artwork to decorate them. 

A total of 64 winning designs will be displayed on the buses, alongside the children’s chosen names. Winners will also receive a prize package that includes free bus travel for a month, a goodie bag, and a framed picture of their winning design. 

Mr Houchen said: “We all know our children have the best ideas when it comes to choosing names and producing fantastic artwork, so we want them to take charge of this great, green zero-emission fleet of buses. 

“We want our youngest residents to play a part in shaping our new fleet. By giving each bus a unique name and decorating them with students’ artwork, we’re bringing a sense of local pride and creativity to our bus network. 

“Not only is this a fun and engaging way to spark creativity, but it also fosters a connection to our local community. I encourage parents, teachers, and schools across the region to get involved and support their students in making their mark on the region’s transportation.” 

The fleet of 64 buses will arrive from February 2025, with Stagecoach’s Stockton depot set to become the largest fully electric bus depot in the North East. 

Steve Walker, Managing Director of Stagecoach North East, added: “It’s an exciting time for the business and the Tees Valley area to receive such a large-scale investment in the bus infrastructure. 

“Delivering a fully electric depot, with a fully electric fleet, will not only benefit the bus users of Stockton and the surrounding area but the wider community. Linking the investment to the community was a must, and we all know that kids have the best ideas, so using the creativity of the young people in the area was a key place to start with our community engagement.” 

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The competition follows funding from the UK Government’s Zero Emission Bus Regional Area (ZEBRA) scheme, which has supported Tees Valley Combined Authority and local bus operators in this major investment. 

The contest is open to children aged 11 and under who live in the Tees Valley. Entries must be submitted by email by Sunday, December 15, or arrive by post no later than Friday, December 13. 

Each entry should include the child’s name, age, and a contact email address (school email addresses are acceptable). Submissions must include both a bus name suggestion and a zebra design to be valid. 

All completed entries must to be sent FAO The Bus Team, either via email to buses@teesvalley-ca.gov.uk, or posted directly to TVCA, Teesside International Airport, Teesside Airport Business Suite, Darlington, DL2 1NJ.

For more details and full terms and conditions, visit the competition website.