From Monday, February 26, users of the Elstow Park and Ride site, along with residents and commuters in Flitwick and Ampthill, will benefit from an extended Grant Palmer 44 service. This is thanks to joint funding provided by Bedford Borough Council and Central Bedfordshire Council with Bus Service Improvement Plans (BSIP+) grant funding from the Government. This expansion comes as a replacement for the Stagecoach service number 2, which will cease operation on the same day.
The decision to extend the Grant Palmer 44 service aims to ensure continued accessibility and convenience for residents and commuters, public transportation options are crucial for maintaining connectivity within Bedford Borough. Stagecoach has ceased service number 2 due to commercial viability concerns and low patronage.
Jim Weir, Portfolio Holder for Environment, Highways, and Transport at Bedford Borough Council, expressed the Council's commitment to providing sustainable transportation solutions for the community: "We understand the importance of reliable public transportation for our residents and commuters. The extension of the Grant Palmer 44 service reflects our dedication to ensuring accessibility and connectivity within Bedford Borough.
“The Park and Ride service has needed a review for some time, by working together with Grant Palmer we hope to encourage more people that work and visit Bedford to make use of this service and reduce congestion on our roads."
The joint funding provided by Bedford Borough Council and Central Bedfordshire Council, from BSIP+ grant funding, demonstrates a collaborative effort to address the transportation needs of the community and maintain the Park and Ride service within Bedford Borough. This investment reaffirms the council's commitment to promoting sustainable and accessible transportation options for all residents.
The new service will run hourly, with extra service at peak times, from Monday to Saturday each week. A single fare will cost £2 and for a group of six people it will be just £6.
Bedford Borough Council continues to explore the possibility of restoring a number of deregistered bus services for local residents. Discussions are ongoing with service operators, Central Bedfordshire Council, and the Department for Transport (DfT) to determine the feasibility of this initiative.
For more information about the Park and Ride service, please visit https://www.grantpalmer.com/