Tees Valley Combined Authority

Jun 2, 2023

Arriva propose widespread cuts and changes to bus services across region - full list Arriva has announced a raft of changes to its service 10:22, 2 JUN 2023 × Invalid emailSomething went wrong, please try again later. Sign Up We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. We also may change the frequency you receive our emails from us in order to keep you up to date and give you the best relevant information possible. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. More info × Commuters on Teesside and Darlington may be affected by cuts to bus services set to come into force next month. Arriva North East has proposed widespread changes to timetables from July 9, which would see 25 services across Teesside, County Durham and Darlington area affected. The services on Teesside affected include Stockton to Yarm, Middlesbrough to Stockton and Middlesbrough to Guisborough and Stokesley . The full finalised list is due to be revealed next week, but documents seen by the Local Democracy Reporting Service show the extent of the proposed changes. The bus operator said withdrawing or making significant changes to bus services is "always a very last resort" and the difficult decision has been taken following "exhaustive efforts", after not failing to reach a funding agreement with Durham County Council and Tees Valley Combined Authority (TVCA). In its report, Arriva said: "Unfortunately, the rates at which both Durham County Council and Tees Valley Combined Authority have felt able to reimburse Arriva for their respective ENCTS schemes for this new financial year has been cut by up to 28 per cent in comparison to levels of reimbursement provided before Covid. "At the same time Arriva are operating around 94 per cent of service miles in comparison across both areas in total. These reimbursement rates fall well below the levels paid by other authorities within the region and, in our view, are not in line with the latest concessionary guidance issued by the Department for Transport." The operator says the changes have been made with the aim of minimising the impact of reductions on passengers while ensuring the long-term sustainability of the network. "We appreciate the financial constraints that both authorities are working under, however the reimbursement rates proposed will not continue to cover the costs of running a significant number of our services and has regrettably led to this decision," the report added. "We know how important our bus network is to our customers and we would like to apologise for any disruption these alterations will cause. We remain committed to working in partnership with Tees Valley Combined Authority and Durham County Council to deliver the high-quality service that local communities deserve." However, TVCA insists the changes are a commercial decision made by Arriva, not the authority and is determined to ensure passengers get value for money. A spokesman said: "We put forward a fair settlement fully in line with our previous methodology and entirely within the scope of Government guidance, which Arriva refused to accept. Arriva is the outlier, as deals based on the same approach have been accepted by both Go North East and Stagecoach. "TVCA went above and beyond to support Arriva - and all the other Tees Valley operators - throughout Covid. There are fewer concessionary bus pass holders travelling on buses and therefore it is only logical that the amount operators are reimbursed for these trips is less. "The funding that operators receive for carrying concessionary bus passengers is only one income stream and therefore for Arriva to suggest that these service changes are solely the result of a fair concessionary fares reimbursement offer is disingenuous." It comes after the government confirmed Arriva would receive a funding boost to improve services in the local area. Arriva performance in the County Durham and Darlington has previously been labelled "abysmal" by furious residents who demand a better service, after telling of missing work and hospital appointments. Arriva did not comment further on the proposed changes. Here is a list of the planned cuts to Teesside and Darlington: Service 62 – Middlesbrough to New Marske The service 62 is among the list of services affected. It will now terminated at the Redcar Centre and no longer continue to New Marske or go via the Ings Farm estate. Arriva said no busses will operate on Sundays and service will finish around 6pm when running. Service X3/X3A/3 – Middlesbrough to Lingdale and Brotton The service X3A will be withdrawn between Marske, Saltburn , Skelton and Brotton . The X3 will be rerouted through Redcar and school day duplication of services between Skelton and Saltburn will be stopped. The service 3 will not operate on Sundays. Service 81 – Guisborough to New Marske Sunday service will be scrapped with some early morning services withdrawn on Saturdays. Service 28/28A – Middlesbrough to Guisborough and Stokesley The 28 will no longer service Lingdale with the 5A servicing Guisborough and Lingdale instead. The route of both services will be totally revised along with the timetable. Service 29 – Middlesbrough to Easterside This service will no longer serve Marton or Cypress Road and will be totally withdrawn on evenings and Sundays. It will operate every 30 minutes on weekdays and hourly on Saturdays. Service 7 – Stockton to Yarm The service 7A will no longer run in the evenings with the last service 7 at around 9pm from Stockton . The service 7A on Sundays and Bank Holidays will operate as the Service 7 and no longer serve Kingsmead or Allens West. Service 17/17A – Middlesbrough to Stockton/Ingleby Barwick The service 17 will be stopped at Ingleby Barwick twice an hour and no longer extend to Yarm and Kingsmead. The X17 will be replaced by the service 17. The service will now end around 9pm or 7.30pm on Sundays. Service 4 – Darlington to Minors Crescent Evening and Sunday journeys will be fully withdrawn. Service 5/5A – Middlesbrough to Easington & Guisborough/Lingdale The service 5/5A will be reduced to three buses an hour between Middlesbrough and Guisborough, with two operating as the 5 and one as the 5A. There will also be changes to the routes on both services. Service 3 – Skerne Park to Darlington The service 3/3A will be revised to operate as the Service 3 between Skerne Park and Darlington only, up to every 15 minutes on weekdays and 30 minutes on Saturdays. There will be no service to Mowden, bar one school journey in each direction on schooldays. Sunday and evening journeys will be scrapped. READ NEXT: