A rural bus success story in Tees Valley

The changes have been funded by Section 106 money donated by housing developers to support services in areas impacted by new developments

A bus service connecting rural communities and an airport is to increase in frequency. Darlington Borough Council has handed extra funding for the 6/6A/6B service, which calls at Hurworth, Darlington town centre, Middleton St George, and Teesside Airport.

The Stagecoach service will operate hourly on Sundays and its evening services to Hurworth, Middleton One Row and Middleton St George will return for the first time since 2011.

The Tees Valley Combined Authority (TVCA) said in March that other services, including 17/18, 3/4, and 16 would also continue until March 2026. Tees Flex, which offers an on-demand service across Stockton, Darlington, Hartlepool and East Cleveland, was also extended and care leavers will be able to travel on buses for free until they are aged 25.

Welcoming the changes, Libby McCollom, the council's cabinet member for local services, said: "I am delighted that we can use this money to improve the bus service for residents living in these rural communities. The bus is a lifeline for so many people, and it is great that we can reopen this service on an evening and increase the number of buses on a Sunday."

The changes have been funded by Section 106 money donated by housing developers to support services in areas impacted by new developments. This is an important resource, and one that more local authorities - both urban and rural – are making increasing use of.

A recent report supported by the Bus Centre of Excellence underlines how, in localities where high levels of housing and population growth are committed in local plans, inclusion of suitable public transport provision is vital. There is the additional need to achieve modal shift from existing residents as well as support new development growth, if local highway networks are not to become further congested, and to prevent the wider environmental impacts of consequential emissions.

Partnership working is essential to meet the customer’s expectation that bus services become increasingly reliable, frequent, affordable and convenient, offering higher standards of comfort on the most environmentally friendly vehicles.

Both Stagecoach Group and Go-Ahead Group have recognised the need to invest hundreds of millions of pounds to support the decarbonisation of our bus fleets in the UK, and this report examines how strategic urban design can enhance bus provision and accessibility specifically in locations outside of metropolitan areas, while aligning with major policy shifts.

Nick Small, Head of Built Environment and Infrastructure (Central and Southern England), Go-Ahead Group, will be speaking at Quality Rural Bus about the work that both Stagecoach Group and Go-Ahead Group are taking forward in relation to delivering bus services in locations outside of metropolitan areas.

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Join us at Quality Rural Bus 2025, where Nick Small from Go Ahead will be speaking. Funded delegate places provided by BCoE  - apply here

"It has never been more important that buses are recognised for the value they provide and are embedded in the design of our future built environments. A clear understanding of what is required to facilitate safe, reliable, efficient and attractive bus operations must inform every designer’s practice. This document is intended to support built environment professionals to that end," says. Nick, one of the report's authors.

Steve Walker, Managing Director of Stagecoach North East, said: "It's great to be able to work alongside Darlington Borough Council to bring an enhanced 6/6A/6B service to the town's network. This enhanced service will provide a valuable transport connection to some rural villages that have seen limited connection to the town centre in the last decade and will become a valuable asset for the residents."