On 15 March 2021, ‘Bus Back Better: The National Bus Strategy’ was published by the Department for Transport. The strategy sets out the Government’s vision for bus services outside of London, with cheaper and simpler fares, quicker and more reliable journeys and improvements to timetables all promised. £3 billion was allocated by Government to help drive these outcomes.
As a result, the North East Joint Transport Committee gave approval to the creation of the region’s Enhanced Partnership (EP). Operators of qualifying local services were notified that the draft EP Plan and EP Scheme had been prepared on 9 December 2022.
The operators’ objection period ended on 10 January 2023 and no objections to the draft EP Plan and EP Scheme were received. Statutory consultation ran from 11 January to 8 February 2023, and following this, the EP Plan and EP Scheme have been made without modification.
The first meeting of the North East Regional Bus Partnership Board was held on the 30 March 2023 and the EP Plan and the EP Scheme came into effect from the 2 April 2023.
The North East Enhanced Partnership approved the region’s first Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) which unveiled a new £804 million bid to Government.
Transport leaders are confident this will dramatically transform bus services across the North East. As a result, £163.5 million worth of funding was awarded, one of the largest settlements in the country.