Stagecoach to serve new COVID vaccination centre in Bedfordshire

All usual stops on the original route will continue to be served and the new stop will only add a few minutes to journey times
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Stagecoach East will be serving the new COVID vaccination centre in Bedfordshire from Sunday, February 21.

The regional bus operator plans to divert one of its existing routes in Bedford to serve the vaccination site, which recently opened at the Central Bedfordshire Council’s Head Office at Priory House in Chicksands, Bedfordshire.

The new centre is playing a key role in the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine programme in the region by offering residents in Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough a nearby site to receive their vaccine.

Vaccine stock imageVaccine stock image
Vaccine stock image

As part of their efforts to support the local community during the pandemic, Stagecoach East will be updating their service 9a and 9b in Bedford to include the vaccination site in Chicksands as one of its key stops.

The amended route will enable people in the wider Bedfordshire area to make essential journeys to the centre to receive their COVID-19 vaccine.

The route diversion will have minimal impact on the current services, as all usual stops on the original route will continue to be served and the new stop will only add a few minutes to journey times.

The route amendment will also mean that passengers can expect to arrive slightly later in Hitchin and depart slightly earlier from Hitchin.

Darren Roe, managing director for Stagecoach East, said: “We are delighted to be able to enhance one of our current routes to offer a direct, safe and convenient means of travel for those making essential journeys to and from vaccine appointments at the recently opened centre in Chicksands.

“Since the start of the pandemic, Stagecoach East have been rapidly responding to passenger demand and adapting services to help support key workers and others in the local community during these difficult times.

"For example, we introduced dedicated NHS shuttle services to help key workers travel safely, during the main shift times, and amended many of our busy routes to provide sufficient capacity, while maintaining safety on-board.

“This recent amendment to the Service 9a and 9b is our next step in supporting the communities we serve and we hope local people will take advantage of the service when it comes to making their essential journeys to the vaccination centre.”

For more information on the amended 9a and 9b services, click here.