Bus trips fall for first time since pandemic

The total number of bus trips in the region has dropped slightly

The number of bus trips taken annually in a region has fallen slightly for the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Tees Valley Combined Authority (TVCA) said the total bus trips taken on Teesside in the 2024-2025 financial year had dropped by 1%, compared with the previous year.

It said Hartlepool had seen the largest fall in this period, with total bus trips falling by 3.2%.

TVCA declined to comment. Bus firms Stagecoach, Go North East and Arriva North East have been approached for comment.

The latest figures were published by the TVCA transport committee.

It said 22.7m bus journeys were taken in the 2024-2025 financial year, compared with 22.9m journeys taken the previous year.

It also said total bus trips in Middlesbrough fell by 1.4% over this period and by 1.2% in Stockton, whereas Darlington saw an increase in total bus trips by 1%.

The report suggested potential explanations for the drop in usage included the decline of local high streets and the rise in the national bus fare cap from £2 to £3.

While other areas have capped the maximum fare at a lower price, the TVCA has not.