- Work Hard
- 14th Aug 2026
- 0
- 0 minute
Everything you need to know about the North East bus consultation
- Advertisement Feature
The North East Mayoral Strategic Authority is consulting on whether to bring more than 500 bus routes under public control through a Bus Franchising Scheme. The consultation closes at 9am on Monday 28th September 2026, and anyone who lives, works or travels in the region can respond, whether or not they use the bus.
The consultation covers County Durham, Gateshead, Newcastle, Northumberland, North Tyneside, South Tyneside and Sunderland. It asks whether bus services should keep running under the current Enhanced Partnership with private operators, or move to a franchising model in which the North East MSA sets routes, timetables, fares and standards and bus companies bid for contracts to run them. It also asks people to weigh the financial risks the MSA would take on if franchising goes ahead.
You can respond online, on paper, by phone or in person at events across the region. Here’s what the consultation is actually asking, and how to have your say before the deadline.
Win prizes for having your say
We want as many people in the North East as possible to have their say on this, so once you have completed the survey you can enter our competition to win prizes from a luxury stay, a lunch with fizz, or a cruise on the Tyne. Entry is for taking part, whatever your view on franchising, and your answers stay entirely between you and the MSA. Simply complete the survey and details to enter the competition will be at the end.
What the North East bus consultation is asking
At its simplest, one question: is franchising a better way to run buses in the North East than the system we have now?
The survey asks for your views on the proposed Bus Franchising Scheme, on the changes it is expected to bring, and on the responsibilities and risks involved. It also asks how you currently travel, so responses can be understood across different groups. You do not need to have read the full 114-page consultation document to take part, and you do not need to be a regular bus user.
There are two versions. The shorter public survey is recommended for bus users and the general public. A longer, more detailed questionnaire is aimed at statutory consultees such as bus operators and local authorities, though anyone can complete either.
How buses in the North East work now
Bus services in the region have been deregulated since the 1980s, which means private operators generally decide routes, timetables, fares and service standards. An Enhanced Partnership is in place between the North East MSA, local authorities and bus companies, but operators keep control of most key decisions.
Buses are still by far the most used public transport in the North East, with more than 115 million journeys made in 2024/25 and around 317,500 passengers a day across more than 500 routes. But since 2010 passenger journeys have fallen by 31% and the miles operated by bus companies have dropped by 32%, which in practice has meant fewer buses, less frequent services and some routes disappearing altogether.
The MSA also points to around 370 different ticket types, punctuality of 87% against a 95% target, and public funding making up roughly 51% of bus operator income despite limited public control over the network.
Nearly half of North East bus users, 47%, rely on the bus as their only travel option.
What bus franchising would change
Under franchising, the North East MSA would set the network and contract operators to run it. The consultation sets out the main differences as follows.
Fares and ticketing: The MSA would set fares and decide which tickets are offered, with fares not rising above inflation for ten years from day one of franchising.
Routes and timetables: The MSA would plan routes and timetables, and commit to maintaining the size of the network for ten years, with more scope to connect bus with Metro, rail and the Ferry.
Safety: The MSA would take strategic control of passenger safety across the whole network rather than it varying by operator.
Journey information: One website and app covering all services instead of information differing between companies.
Branding: A single network identity, the Angel Network, across buses, stops and stations.
Community influence: Greater ability for residents and local elected representatives to influence network planning and hold operators to account.
The MSA has set six objectives against which it assessed the options: buses at the heart of an integrated Angel Network, better punctuality and reliability, a more resilient network, accessibility and inclusion, safety for everyone and particularly women and girls, and regional pride in its buses.
“This is your chance to shape the future of bus services in our region.”
Kim McGuinness, Mayor of the North East
The risks the consultation asks you to consider
The MSA wants people to “consider our plans, including the new responsibilities and risks we would take on”.
Henry Kippin, Chief Executive, North East MSA
How to have your say before the deadline
The consultation closes at 9am on Monday 28th September 2026. There are five ways to respond.
Online: Complete the public consultation survey using this link. It is the quickest route.
By post: Request a printed survey and it will be posted to you with a free return envelope. Call 0191 277 4223.
By phone: Complete the survey over the phone with a member of the team on 0191 277 4223.
By email or letter: Email [email protected], or write to North East Mayoral Strategic Authority, The Lumen, St James’ Boulevard, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE4 5BZ.
In person: Events are running across the region through to the end of the consultation. The MSA has an interactive map of remaining dates and venues on its website.
Paper surveys, audio versions, large text and other languages are all available on request using the same phone number or email address. The full consultation document, the shorter summary and the interactive map of events are all on the MSA website, here.
Win one of three prizes for taking part
We want as many people in the North East as possible to have their say on this, so once you have completed the survey you can enter our competition to win one of three treats as a thank you. Entry is for taking part, whatever your view on franchising, and your answers stay entirely between you and the MSA.
What happens after 28th September
All responses will be reviewed before Mayor Kim McGuinness and the cabinet decide whether to introduce franchising. This is a statutory consultation, so the outcome has to be taken into account, and the MSA has said a final decision is expected in early 2027. If it goes ahead, reporting suggests a phased rollout with the first franchised services running from around autumn 2029.
For context, franchising has operated in London since the 1980s, was introduced in Greater Manchester over the last three years, and is being brought in across West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, Liverpool and the West Midlands. When the Mayor’s Local Transport Plan went out to consultation in 2025, more than 16,000 people across the region responded.
North East bus consultation FAQs
When is the deadline for the North East bus consultation?
9am on Monday 28th September 2026.
Who can respond to the consultation?
Anyone. You do not need to be a regular bus user, and the MSA has said it wants to hear from people who never use the bus as well as those who use it daily.
Which areas does the consultation cover?
County Durham, Gateshead, Newcastle, Northumberland, North Tyneside, South Tyneside and Sunderland.
What is bus franchising?
A model where the public sector sets routes, timetables, fares and service standards, and bus companies compete for contracts to run services rather than operating them commercially. London and Greater Manchester already use it.
Would fares go up under franchising?
The proposal commits to fares not rising above inflation for ten years from day one of franchising. Under the current system operators can raise fares, and prices have historically risen faster than inflation.
Do I need to read the full consultation document before responding?
No. The full document runs to 114-pages, but the public survey is written to be completed without it. A shorter summary document is available if you want the background first.
Can I request a paper copy of the survey?
Yes. Call 0191 277 4223 or email [email protected] and one will be posted to you with a free return envelope.
When will a decision be made?
The Mayor and cabinet are expected to decide in early 2027, once all consultation responses have been reviewed. No decision has been made yet.
Subscribe
Subscribe now to receive our twice-weekly emails and exclusive offers for High Life North readers.