LABOUR’S Tees Valley Mayoral candidate has revealed her plans to use new laws to take control of bus service routes, timetables and fares.

Sue Jeffrey has announced her intentions to use powers created by a Buses Bill set to become law which will enable transport authorities to create their own franchises or partnership agreements.

Ms Jeffrey issued the statement in a bid to encourage North-East bus operators to work together to improve services and public transport links for all residents.

The leader of Redcar and Cleveland Council joined commuters and passengers yesterday to travel across the five boroughs set to vote in in the Tees Valley Mayoral elections in May by only using buses to get around.

Her journey was designed to highlight the challenges of travelling around the region.

Ms Jeffrey said: “The power to take control of buses will be in our hands once this Bill receives Royal Assent.

“I have made partnership a core priority of my bid to be mayor, but the bus firms need to know I am prepared to take over and use Buses Act powers if current services are not working for people.

“I want to see a London system in place in the Tees Valley where one ticket is all you need to travel on any bus, and a promise to work to link up low income areas to jobs.

“It is these sort of transport improvements which have the most potential to transform the Tees Valley.

“Changing the lives of thousands of passengers daily is exactly what devolution is about.”

The Bus Bill will be scrutinised in the House of Lords before becoming law.