https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/north-east-bus-network-days-17996809
North East bus network days away from collapse due to coronavirus impact, Government warned
In a briefing seen by ChronicleLive, North East transport leaders say they need more money to keep buses on the road after a huge drop in the amount of people using public transport
The North East bus network is on the brink of collapse due to the Covid-19 outbreak,it has been claimed.
With the country on lockdown and people told to avoid public transport if they can, transport companies' incomes have plummeted.
After North East transport leaders were issued with a stark financial briefing, ministers were warned the region's public transport network may not exist by the time the pandemic has passed.
In a document seen by ChronicleLive, it's claimed action is needed 'in the next few days' in order to prevent bus services from going under, potentially leaving key workers stranded.
It reads: "The collapse of bus patronage is a major financial challenge to bus operators who are evaluating their individual responses. Urgent decisions are required over the next few days in order to avoid loss of accessibility for key workers, as well as long-term major damage to the bus market."
Plans are already being put in place to provide some sort of service should a private bus operator go under.
Transport North East, which oversees transport for the region, has warned the Government it may need to set aside state aid rules to rescue struggling franchises.
Gateshead MP Ian Mearns has been leading calls for the Department for Transport to provide urgent help.
In a letter seen by ChronicleLive, he warned a public transport crisis would be 'yet another potential emergency in a still lengthening string of emergencies'.
The huge drop off in fares risks leaving local authorities exposed financially. In the most recent budget, North East local authorities paid private bus firms £53m to ensure things like concessionary bus travel for children and pensioners.
Councils are expected to be told by the DfT that they must maintain these payments at pre-pandemic levels going forward, according to the document.
But even with subsidies and 'major cost-cutting', the document warns, there will still be a large gap between income and costs.
Bus usage has fallen by 80% in recent days and services have already been slashed to as little as one bus every two hours in some rural areas.
Transport North East has called on the Government to provide urgent emergency funding and change laws to allow councils and Nexus to step in and run bus services should a private operator collapse.
Mr Mearns warned ministers about the impact of potential public transport woes in a letter: "As we progress with the stay at home where possible policy, it will still be vital for essential and emergency workers to be able to get to and from their places of work, as well as those without their own transport, getting to shops, pharmacies and medical appointments.
"If the network collapses public safety and the safety and welfare of the ill, frail and vulnerable will be severely compromised."
Transport North East chair and Gateshead Council leader Martin Gannon said: "We at the North East Joint Transport Committee are deeply concerned about the viability of the local bus system.
"Bus patronage has collapsed, creating a major financial challenge. We believe that urgent decisions are required from government, urgently, in order to avoid loss of accessibility for key workers, as well as long-term major damage to the bus services."
The Department for Transport have been asked for a comment. All North East bus operators have also been approached.
As previously reported, the Metro network is also facing financial problems after experiencing a similar drop off in usage.
According to the Transport North East document, Nexus has requested £10m to cover a funding shortfall between now and July and to clarify the status of the Metro Revenue Grant which was absent from the Chancellor's budget earlier this month.
A DfT spokeswoman said: “We have put in an initial package of support to protect the bus sector for years to come and help ensure that those who absolutely need to get to work can do so, including our emergency services, NHS and other frontline sectors.”
