Struggling bus and Metro services in the North East are set to be handed a much-needed cash lifeline after a Government U-turn – but it may not be enough to stave off severe cuts.
Bailout grants that have covered public transport operators’ losses caused by low passenger numbers during the Covid pandemic were due to end in April, sparking fears of a major financial crisis that would lead to devastating cuts across the country.
But transport secretary Grant Shapps announced on Tuesday afternoon that the Government will now give more than £150m to bus and light rail operators in England, to help prop them up until October this year.
