Bus Service Boost
Bus services across the borough are set to be transformed with
major improvements to routes in rural and urban areas launching on
August 21st 2011. The timetable changes include a long
hoped-for extension of services in Bedford and Kempston until up to
11pm, free rural weekend travel for under 16’s and new paperless
smartcard ticketing in the urban area.
The new plans are the result of extensive
negotiation with bus operators Stagecoach and Grant Palmer, and
have been the subject of widespread consultation with rural bus
users.
Feedback from the consultation in rural areas,
carried out in Spring/Summer 2010, is directly reflected in the
changes in order that services are shaped by the needs of local bus
users.
The combination of the Stagecoach
commercial changes and the new Bedford Borough rural services will
bring benefits right across the borough. Key improvements
include:
- The new rural services introduced by the council will offer
free travel to under 16's at weekends and during school
holidays
- Late evening buses across Bedford and Kempston on most routes,
with last buses up to 11pm, Monday to Saturday.
- Smartcard ticketing to be introduced on all Stagecoach buses,
including the popular Megarider
- Rural locations seeing an increase in the frequency of services
with some areas receiving a service for the first time in many
years
- Regular half-hourly connection between the rail station, and
the bus station
- Use of Grant Palmer bus stops in the vicinity of the bus
station, for their new rural services, will result in better
connectivity in town, between services for the North Eastern part
of the borough, and the rest of the bus network
- Guaranteed connections at rural locations taking the worry out
of longer journeys involving more than one bus
The Park and Ride service will also be
extended, so could provide a suitable travel option for individuals
looking to get to and from evening events held at the Corn Exchange
and venues across the town.
The Mayor of Bedford Borough, Dave Hodgson,
said: “With bus services being slashed elsewhere due to the
financial climate for local authorities, we have turned the problem
on its head, by first finding out from residents what they want and
then working with the operators to achieve the best possible
services with the resources available. The result is a real boost
for local services, with most urban buses running much later into
the evening, for example, and new or restored services in a number
of rural areas. We are looking to build on this and form a
Voluntary Partnership Agreement with all bus operators to enable a
joined up approach to residents’ travel needs.”
A representative of Bedford Bus Users' Society
(BABUS) commented: Whilst some areas may face changes to bus
services currently enjoyed, comparisons with rural service levels
in adjoining areas indicated that villages within Bedford Borough
are still served well with many of the changes being a direct
result of feedback from bus users."
Grant Palmer, Proprietor of Grant Palmer Ltd,
said: “We are very much looking forward to a voluntary working
partnership with Bedford Borough Council to maintain and enhance
where possible the North Bedford Rural Bus network. We will
endeavour to meet the community's needs and expectations with a
network of routes that have been designed following community
involvement via Transport Road shows organized by Bedford
Borough Council."
Andy Campbell, Managing Director of
Stagecoach East, added: “We are pleased to be working with the
Borough alongside other operators to promote public transport in
the area. I am encouraged by the pro-active approach taken by
Bedford Borough Council.”
Stagecoach have just introduced £750,000 worth
of new buses locally. The six new vehicles proudly promote ‘Bedford
Bus,’ the new brand being launched for Stagecoach buses operating
within the borough.
A summary of the new timetable is
available at www.bedford.gov.uk/businfo
with full details available later this month.