Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Affordable Bus Travel: North-east England

Thursday 16 December 2021 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Chi Onwurah inquired about the disparities in bus journey costs between her constituents in North-east England and Londoners.
  • The Secretary of State stated they are working with Transport North East on a business case to introduce 73 electric buses and charging infrastructure.
  • Chi Onwurah also questioned the refusal of several transport projects including the reopening of the Leamside line and the HS2 eastern leg.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Chi Onwurah Lab Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West
Transport
Context

The MP is concerned about the disparity between lower average earnings in her constituency and higher costs for bus journeys compared to London. She also mentions previous refusals by the Secretary of State to confirm funding for various transport projects.

Question

Despite having lower average earnings, my constituents pay much more for their bus journey than Londoners. Yet the Secretary of State refuses to confirm funding for our bus service improvement plan or to confirm funding for the Metro throughout the covid crisis, which means there is less money for our buses, which he also will not support during the covid crisis.

Answer from Trudy Harrison

We are working with Transport North East as it develops its business case under the zero emission bus regional area scheme to introduce 73 electric buses and the necessary charging infrastructure. It will submit its final business case at the end of January.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The funding for the bus service improvement plan, support during the covid crisis, and other transport projects mentioned by the MP were not addressed.

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Q2 Chi Onwurah Lab Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West
Transport
Context

The MP raises concerns about the lack of funding for various transport initiatives, including the reopening of the Leamside line, the HS2 eastern leg abandonment, and Northern Rail Powerhouse promises not being fulfilled.

Question

We have had our application to reopen the Leamside line refused. We have had the HS2 eastern leg abandoned, which means there is no hope of getting high-speed trains in Newcastle. We have had the manifesto promises on the Northern Rail Powerhouse refused and they will not even help to paint the Tyne bridge for its 100th birthday. Why are the Government such a scrooge for north-east transport?

Answer from Trudy Harrison

We are working with Transport North East as it develops its business case under the zero emission bus regional area scheme to introduce 73 electric buses and the necessary charging infrastructure. It will submit its final business case at the end of January.

Not addressed: The MP's questions about specific transport projects like the Leamside line, HS2 eastern leg abandonment, Northern Rail Powerhouse promises, and other initiatives were not addressed.

How: Changing Subject To Electric Buses

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