The Chair of the Tyne and Wear Integrated Transport Authority, Cllr David Wood, said:
“The ITA welcome the opportunity to work with DfT over the coming weeks to bid for an additional £5m to make cycling, walking and public transport more attractive in Tyne and Wear, removing potential transport barriers to employment, supporting economic growth and protecting the environment.
Any future funding would complement the existing £4.9m Schools Go Smarter funding awarded to the ITA last year which focuses on initiatives to promote walking and cycling to schools that will help cut the ‘school run’ traffic.
The ITA are currently working on a Better Bus Area Fund project to address delays to buses, and to improve all aspects of the bus journey experience along key bus corridors across Tyne and Wear.