The government has announced £7.2m in funding to support bus services in Tees Valley in a bid to end the 'postcode lottery' of unreliable buses.

The funding is part of a wider £1 billion initiative to improve bus services across the country, while keeping fares low and empower councils to take control of their own services.

Transport Secretary Louise Haigh said: "The value of regular and reliable bus services cannot be understated.

"For far too long, the Tees Valley has been suffering from unreliable services with buses hugely delayed, or not even turning up at all.

"This funding kickstarts the bus revolution to bring an end to the postcode lottery of bus services, drive economic growth and make sure people have proper access to jobs and opportunities."

Investment will be used to enhance popular routes, protect rural services, and increase bus use for shopping, socialising, and commuting.

It will also prevent service reductions on at-risk routes and improve punctuality, according to the Government.

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Luke Myer, MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, said: "This bus funding from the Government is welcome and sorely needed in our area.

"So many of our rural communities in East Cleveland are trapped in isolation after a decade of routes being cut.

"It's now vital this funding is put to good use in Teesside so that our communities are not left behind."

The government is also set to introduce a Buses Bill in this parliamentary session, which will give local leaders across England greater control to deliver bus services in a way that suits the needs of their communities.

This is in addition to the £150 million already committed to extend the bus fare cap, which will now run until December 31, 2025, ensuring that the flat rate for journeys remains at £3.