Have your say on the North East bus network join the #BigBusConversation
25 Aug 2023 ARCHIVED (over 3 months old) - view latest news
Members of the public are being asked to share their views on buses in the North East by joining the Big Bus Conversation – a region-wide campaign which will help to inform delivery of major bus improvements using Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) funding.
Pop up events have been taking place across the region and the next event in Northumberland will take place on 30th August between 10am-2pm in Wentworth Car Park in Hexham.
Leader of Northumberland County Council, Glen Sanderson said:
“ It doesn’t matter whether you are a regular bus user or if you can’t remember the last time you used a bus - if you are able to, please go along to share your experiences, give your views on what is important to you and ideas for on what you think could be improved.”
If you are unable to attend the event at Hexham you can still join in the Big Bus Conversation, by filling in an online survey and sharing your suggestions. visit
www.transportnortheast.gov.uk/bigbusconversation2023/ before the campaign closes on Friday 8 September 2023.
The Big Bus Conversation first launched in July 2021, and helped to shape the BSIP funding bid, following the publication of the government’s ‘Bus Back Better’ National Bus Strategy in March 2021.
The BSIP is refreshed annually and transport leaders hope the public will take the opportunity to share their views.
Cllr Martin Gannon, Chair of the North East Joint Transport Committee, said:
“The bus network is the most used form of public transport in our region, accounting for millions of journeys each year.
“When we ran the first Big Bus Conversation in 2021, we heard that cheaper fares and more frequent buses were a priority for local people, and we were determined to make this a reality. Thanks to the region’s BSIP funding we’ve seen affordable fares launch this year including the national £2 fare initiative, and the region’s new 21 and under £1 fare. Affordable adult day fares will be coming this September, and we are also investing in multiple projects which aim to make buses more reliable and journey times faster.
“We are keen to continue to hear from the public as we progress through plans, so that we can transform the bus network into something which is the natural first choice for travel in our region,. We want to engage with all communities across the region through the Big Bus Conversation.”