There are some significant changes to bus services serving Biggleswade and the surrounding villages from the 31st August. These will impact current users, as well as those who would use public transport, but are currently prevented from doing so by the significant cuts to services across the region over the last decade.
Although bus travel suffers from a poor image compared to rail travel, the number of bus journeys per year, 4 billion in 2019, vastly exceeds the number of journeys by rail,1.74 billion, in the same year. It is also a vital form of transport for lower income groups and older people who don’t have access to a car. Frequent bus services, which go where people need to go, are crucial for people in rural areas to access work, help reduce loneliness in cut-off rural areas and will enable a shift away from the car, essential to reduce CO2 emissions and reduce the worst impacts of climate change.
I’m pleased to say there are some welcome improvements to a number of services, although it seems that some villages will miss out and actually face later first buses and earlier last buses. Looking through bus timetables can be laborious, so I have just highlighted the main changes below. All errors are mine and come with the usual disclaimers! For those who want to take a more in-depth look at the timetables I provide links at the bottom of this post. Do get in touch if you have any suggestions for route or service improvements.
First Services
Potton
The first service, a new 72 route, from Potton to Sandy starting 31st August will be at 06.06 (this is currently at 07.25)
The first service, again the 72, from Potton to Biggleswade, will be the 07.12 (this is currently 08.26)
Gamlingay
The 1st service from Gamlingay to Sandy will now be at 08.52, a much later start than the current 07.33
The 1st service from Gamlingay to Biggleswade will be earlier, 07.44 rather than the current 08.18 and this will benefit Dunton with an earlier first service of 08.12, compared to the current 08.44.
Blunham
The first bus through Blunham will be 10.36, which is later than the current 10.12 service.
Biggleswade Town Service 85/85a
The 85 and 85a routes will have a similar level of service although the last 85a has been cut, and this is in additional to significant cuts to this service that have taken place in the last couple of years. This service used to have a start time of 06.00 in the morning and would run beyond 20.00.
Last Services
Sandy to Potton
The last service from Sandy to Potton will now be at 20.46 on the new 72 route, which is a great improvement on the previous 17.47. The last service from Sandy to Gamlingay will remain at 17.47 from the train station.
Biggleswade to Potton
The last service from Biggleswade to Potton will now be at 18.20, which is an improvement on the current 17.32.
Biggleswade to Gamlingay
The time of the last service remains unchanged at 17.32 departure from Biggleswade.
Another benefit of the upcoming timetable changes is that there will be a direct service from Potton to Bedford via the new 72 route mentioned above. Overall, with some disappointing exceptions there is a significant improvement to services. However, looking at timetables from just two years ago, even with the upcoming changes some villages in our area will still have a poorer service. In 2019 the first bus from Potton to Sandy left at 05.40, the first bus from Gamlingay to Sandy left at 06.13 and Blunham village had a 08.12 service.
However, to encourage a modal shift away from the car, bus services will need to be affordable, reliable and frequent. We certainly aren’t there yet! Is the bus an option for you? If you never travel by bus would you consider using it one day a week? What needs to change to get people out of their cars? Do get in touch at: bedsptransportwatch@gmail.com
Links to new Timetables and more info
New 72/73 service Bedford/Sandy/Potton/Biggleswade from 31st August: https://tiscon-maps-stagecoachbus.s3.amazonaws.com/Timetables/East/BEDFORD/BE%20-%20ROUTE%2072%2B73%20-%20AUG%2021.pdf
New 188/190 timetable from 31st August Biggleswade/Dunton/Potton/Gamlingay/Sandy: https://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/directory_record/72634/centrebus_services_188_and_190
New Biggleswade ‘town service’ 85/85a from 16th August: https://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/directory_record/72705/centrebus_services_85_and_85a
‘Bus Back Better’ the government’s national bus strategy: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/980227/DfT-Bus-Back-Better-national-bus-strategy-for-England.pdf
Department for Transport Annual Bus Statistics published October 2020: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/929992/annual-bus-statistics-year-ending-march-2020.pdf
Julian Vaughan
21st August 2021
Twitter: @juliman66
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