A troubled bus operator is due to receive financial support from the government to help improve services in Darlington.

Arriva has been singled out to receive a funding boost after its performance in the town was previously labelled “abysmal” by furious residents who demand a better service, after telling of missing work and hospital appointments.

The operator has faced repeated calls from people in the town to improve after more than a year of issues, with many passengers losing confidence in the operator. And although more drivers were recently recruited people continue to report their struggles with services. Cockerton cllr Jan Cossins told a recent council meeting: “People have and are losing their jobs because of constantly being late for work. This is not good enough, I do think that we may need to look for another operator.”

Now, the government has confirmed Arriva will receive funding to help improve its performance after Darlington MP Peter Gibson raised the issue in the House of Commons. Transport minister and County Durham MP, Richard Holden said: “Arriva North East will be getting a funding settlement. I look forward to working with [Mr Gibson] and other colleagues to ensure that that cash supports not just current bus services but potential new ones in the right places.”

Investment is expected to come from new cash given to the Tees Valley Combined Authority, which has power of local transport-decision making. A TVCA spokesman said: "Our Tees Valley allocation from the BSIP+ fund was revealed as £1.5million last week. The money can be used to support existing services, enhance these services, or provide new ones.

"We will now examine our existing network and determine how we'll allocate the money by working closely with Operators. We want to ensure the money has the maximum possible impact to enhance and improve services for passengers."

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Arriva has apologised to residents for the ongoing issues and said improvements are being made - and hopes the new funding will benefit its services.

“We welcome the Government’s announcement that funding has been made available to transport authorities to help support local bus networks,” a spokeswoman said. 

“While the bus industry has been clear that this is not at the level required to keep every service running, we look forward to working with colleagues at TVCA to explore where funding may be available to support services that no longer cover their own running costs.”