Council's response to planned bus service cuts

Arriva has announced a number of proposed changes to bus services across the Tees Valley and particularly in Darlington. Some are minor changes to frequency, some impact on evening and weekend coverage and some mean services will be completely removed. The details are below.

Councillor Steve Harker, Leader of Darlington Borough Council, said: “We recognise the important role bus services play across Darlington for everyone who relies on them. In Darlington there are very few subsidised bus services, with Arriva operating the majority of services where they are commercially profitable. Tees Valley Combined Authority (TVCA), when it was formed, took the role and responsibilities of the Local Transport Authority. The Combined Authority is required to consider the provision of public passenger transport requirements across the Tees Valley.

“During Covid, bus companies received support from Councils and the Government, but this support is coming to an end. I would like to clarify that the Council is responsible for funding Concessionary Travel (i.e Bus Pass usage) and TVCA is leading this process on behalf of us and the other Tees Valley councils. Offers have been made to other Tees Valley operators and these have been accepted. However, Arriva has stated that the proposed reimbursement settlement would leave the business ‘worse off’ and it is appealing the proposed offer with DfT. However, we are satisfied that our funding offer to Arriva is appropriate to cover the cost of bus pass usage.

“Unfortunately, the number of people using bus services has not rebounded after Covid and this has impacted on the amount we should pay for bus pass usage and the amount of fares Arriva generates. This has resulted in Arriva reviewing the bus services it can provide on a commercially profitable basis. The changes are currently with the Traffic Commissioner for review, and will then come into effect from Sunday, 9 July. 

“It is the responsibility of Tees Valley Combined Authority, as the Local Transport Authority, to consider the provision of public passenger transport requirements across the Tees Valley. It must consider the need for services, but it is not obliged to provide services, as the cost of these can be extremely expensive.

“We are obviously very concerned about these proposed changes by Arriva and the likely impact if they go ahead. We are working with TVCA and outlining the impact this will have on people who rely on public transport. I will keep you updated when there are any further developments.”

In Darlington, the main reductions to services are as below. However, all the changes can be viewed on Arriva’s website.

If you have any comments on the plans, please email Gill Hutchinson - [email protected] and we will ensure TVCA is made aware of the impacts as part of its considerations.