Bus routes across the North East could be cut by almost a fifth as a devastating cash crisis engulfs the region’s public transport networks.
Both private bus companies and Tyne and Wear Metro operator Nexus are set to take major hits at the end of March when the government ends Covid bailout funding that has helped cover losses caused by reduced passenger levels during the pandemic.
Council leaders issued a warning earlier this week that resulting cutbacks would amount to a “decimation” of the North East’s bus network and the ChronicleLive now understands that operators could slash up to 17% of their pre-pandemic mileage over the coming months.
