A council has stepped in to save a borough bus service that was facing the axe.
Nottinghamshire County Council will offer financial support to Nottingham City Transport to keep the 46 and 47 bus services running.
The buses, which serve Woodborough, Lambley and Mapperley, were due to be withdrawn or run less frequently as they were considered no longer financially viable. Following the funding, they will now continue in their current form.
But the council is warning it’s now a case of ‘use them or lose them’ with a review taking place in 12 months’ time.
The financial support for these services as part of its Bus Network Review is being agreed with the commercial operators and for the time being, the council say passengers won’t see any difference in route or timetables, although the services may be subject to redesign and review over the next 12 months.
Councillor Neil Clarke MBE, cabinet member for transport and environment at Nottinghamshire County Council, said: “Nottinghamshire County Council has stepped in to save these eleven bus routes for now, but it’s still a case of ‘use these bus services or risk losing them’.
“We hope residents in these areas will travel on these services more regularly in the future. They are a clean and safe way to travel, and you don’t have to worry about driving or parking. It’s cheaper to leave your car at home and go by bus, and it helps protect the environment too by reducing air pollution.
“The last few years have taken their toll on bus services nationally, including here in Nottinghamshire. Passenger numbers in rural areas are at around 60% of the levels we saw before the Covid-19 pandemic and at around 80% in more urban areas. We are therefore committed to working with local operators to reinvigorate bus services like these, which play a vital role in keeping communities connected.
“In Nottinghamshire, there are over 200 bus routes connecting communities, workplaces, shopping centres, health facilities and leisure venues and by using these services more frequently, residents can not only help protect their bus services but also protect their pocket.
“Now is a particularly good time for residents to jump on board their local bus and show their support because, until 31 March, a single bus journey will cost no more than £2 on most routes across the county thanks to the Government’s Help for Households scheme aimed at tackling the cost of living across the country.
“I really hope that with our support, these bus services will recover to previous levels of patronage and move closer to commercial viability once again.”
I live on the 46/47 Woodborough/Lambley route and wonder why we can’t have a bus running the circle route and delivering passengers to Mapperley Plains where they can then pick up the very frequent 45 to Nottingham. Surely this would be more efficient in terms of cost.
Glad this has been kept it’s vital for those living in the community.
We have issues with our
Bus services = L75, L73
As problems arise from no
Service on lunchtime 12.05
From Morrison’s to Burton Joyce , and also the 12.50 from Morrison’s to Bakersfield.
Passengers don’t know if the bus will turn up for sure.
Most of the passengers are either Elderly or Disabled
and no other way to get out .
I have contacted the company more than once
even after being assured of the problem rectified.
Our service is a Community
Service backed by Nottingham County Council .
The Company C4N/ our bus . I have sent yet another Email to say if things don’t change then I will contact =
TRAFFIC COMMISIONER
LEEDS , to get involved,
They could even change the timetable to work around the problem, as long as we are informed.