Transport

Transport is at the heart of the North East. It allows the people who live, work, visit and invest in the region access to work, education, healthcare and leisure.

At the North East Combined Authority, we’re working hard to deliver game-changing transport schemes and initiatives, and ultimately provide a greener, affordable, integrated transport network that works for everyone.

Strategy

North East Transport Plan

The North East Transport Plan is our current core strategy for transport and sets out our region’s transport aspirations up to 2035. It includes a programme of around 240 schemes which equal at least £6.8 billion of transport investment – a figure which will grow over the lifespan of the plan. 

The plan and its programme of activity will help to make a big difference to the lives of people in the North East – our health, our environment and our economy.

For years, our region has seen dramatically lower levels of transport investment than other areas of the country. Our plan will address this imbalance and boost spending on schemes which will be ‘game-changing’ for the North East and how we travel each day.

Projects in the plan include major improvements to regional walking, wheeling and cycle routes, new train stations, extensions to Metro, increased bus operations and a variety of major road and rail investments.

We are currently refreshing the plan up to 2040 and we are aiming to consult on this new plan in autumn 2024, so keep an eye out for more information coming soon

Two young people talking on the bus.

Making the Right Travel Choice

The Making the Right Travel Choice Strategy encourages car users to switch one journey a week to a more sustainable travel option.

Bus Service Improvement Plan

The North East Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) outlines the region's ambitions to make buses a more attractive alternative to private vehicles.

Zero Emission Vehicle Strategy

The North East Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Strategy aims to deliver reliable public ZEV charging infrastructure across the North East, wherever people need it. 

Active Travel Strategy

The North East Active Travel Strategy aims for walking, wheeling and cycling to become the natural first choice for short everyday trips.

Rail and Metro Strategy

The North East Rail and Metro Strategy sets out how rail and Metro can play a key role in achieving our region’s shared transport vision and objectives. 

Transport campaigns

Two people sitting on a bus.

Better public transport across the North East

Adults can now travel all day, anywhere, on the bus, Metro or ferry with more affordable day tickets.

More about All Day, Anywhere
Go Smarter, Go Active

Go Smarter, Go Active

The Go Smarter, Go Active campaign aims to inspire and instil confidence in the people of the North East to travel more actively and sustainably.

The Leamside Line

The Leamside Line

We are leading a campaign to reopen the Leamside Line. It is a key priority for the economic, social and environmental benefits it would bring to the region.

Get Round for £1

Get Round for £1

Young people, aged 21 and under, can go by bus for just £1 or buy a £3 day ticket for unlimited travel across the region.


Latest transport projects


Related information

North East Enhanced Partnership

A forum for local transport authorities and bus operators to work in partnership to deliver an enhanced bus network for the region.

Freight Quality Partnership

A collaboration between operators, local authorities and key stakeholders to promote safe, efficient and sustainable freight movement in the region and beyond.

Tyne Tunnels

The Tyne Tunnels are synonymous with the North East and are made up of two traffic tunnels and the pedestrian and cyclist tunnels which run under the River Tyne.

Nexus

Nexus works to improve the quality of life and fortunes of everyone in the region, by creating better transport networks.

Metro Fleet

A new Metro fleet will make the network more efficient, more reliable and more environmentally friendly.

Councillor Martin Gannon is the Interim portfolio holder for Transport, Leader of Gateshead Council, and previously chaired the North East Joint Transport Committee from 2018 to 2023.

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