It was announced yesterday (Monday, 20 February) that the Tees Flex bus service will be extended for a further 18 months.
First launched in 2020, the Tees Flex is an on-demand bus service, run in partnership with Stagecoach.
The service is designed to help connect the residents in rural areas of Teesside to the economic centres, helping them to access employment, shops and essential services conveniently and at a time which suits them.
Initially the service was designed to run as a three-year-pilot, however this was severely disrupted by the Covid pandemic and consequent lockdowns, which followed closely after the launch.
Due to this, and the renewed funding, the pilot will now be extended under the exact same conditions with the operational zones and prices unchanged.
Stockton South MP, Matt Vickers, said:
“The continued funding for the Tees Flex service is a lifeline for our rural communities.
“It grants residents the freedom to create their own routines and plan their lives around personal convenience, rather than relying on a bus timetable or lifts from others.
“The service encourages local people to access our skilled job opportunities, drives footfall on our high street and transports passengers to and from our international airport.
“Connecting our rural areas to the economic hubs helps to create a more prosperous Teesside.
“I’m excited to watch the demand continue to grow over the next 18 months”
Tees Flex is available across areas of Teesside, Darlington, and Hartlepool and is operational six days a week.
Journeys can be made to requested pick-up and drop-off points within one of the three serviced areas to secondary destinations including train stations and hospitals across that borough. Tees Flex will also continue to serve Teesside International Airport.
You can find out more about Tees Flex, including how to book, on the Stagecoach website.
