Bedford bus operator 'stunned' by planned timetable changes

A Bedford bus operator said he was left “stunned” by planned service changes across the borough, while a councillor warned some residents could face harder journeys to hospital and college if routes are withdrawn.

Managing director Grant Palmer criticised the proposals due to take effect on May 31.

He said: “The really upsetting news is in the detail of the proposed routes and timetables.”

An analysis carried out by the company said that whilst services for a number of residents in Bedford will be cut altogether, new services are being started which mirror routes already provided by Grant Palmer, and others, with services timed to “abstract passengers from existing routes”.

Mr Palmer said: “We are going to see new services running just in front of our established buses along Ampthill Road, and at the Interchange retail park, for example.

“I welcome competition in business, but surely not at the expense of existing bus users.”

But Stagecoach said the changes followed independent research with local people, including current and non-bus users, and discussions with local councils.

David Boden, commercial director of Stagecoach East, said: “Through extended and detailed consultation with officers of Bedford Borough Council, Central Bedfordshire Council and Hertfordshire County Council, and the working up of lots of different timetable options, we have not only managed to reduce the areas which no longer are able to receive a service, but reinvest buses saved into areas where people do travel.

He said Wootton Hill Grounds was one area where average passenger numbers were 0.1 per trip, which he said made it impossible to provide a sustainable service without support.

“There are also some areas of Putnoe and Goldington wards where passenger numbers are as low as 1.9 and 2.1 passengers per trip, where we again have not been able to secure agreement,” he said.

“We have, though, at zero cost to Bedford Borough Council, agreed to vary Service 28 to help in part of the affected area, and we have also offered a proposal for a service to be tendered for the remaining areas.

“With the continued issues around congestion in our towns, we also need to build in time to make sure we can provide a timetable that our loyal customers can rely on.”

Councillor Sue Abood (Lib Dem), a ward councillor for Wootton and Kempston Rural, criticised the loss of the 53 and 53A routes.

She said: “With the need to go to North Wing for blood tests, this reduction in service will make an already difficult and lengthy journey even harder for those who don’t drive.”

She added students travelling to Bedford College would also struggle if passengers had to rely on one remaining service.

Grant Palmer told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) a new bus service, W2, is being introduced, which is timed to run five minutes in front of its 42 service along Ampthill Road to/ from Interchange Retail Park and the 44 along Ampthill Road to Wixams.

“We don’t understand why it is necessary to withdraw services in some parts of Bedford so duplicate services can be provided elsewhere,” the spokesperson said.

The company added that it is looking at how it can fill gaps on withdrawn services, and is meeting with local councillors to examine options.

Bedford Borough Council has been approached for comment.

Stagecoach service updates from Sunday, May 31, 2026

Service 1 – " Minor" timetable changes, last bus 10.30pm.
Service 2W – A new service to replace Service 53, with a new route to Wootton via Interchange Retail Park and Wixams.
Service 3 – Will run direct in and out, without stopping at the Hangers or Potters Way.
Service 4 – Will be extended to Elms Farm and Norse Road and will run every 30 minutes to replace the Service 10, last bus now 10.30pm.
Service 4 and Service MK1 will swap stands at Bedford Bus Station.
Service 5 – Will now be extended to Woodside Dover Crescent and Mark Rutherford School, and no longer stop at Elms Farm, last bus now 10.30pm.
Service 6 – "Minor" timetable changes for punctuality, last bus now 10.30pm.
Service 7 – Discontinued, with Woodside Dover Crescent and Mark Rutherford School now served by Service 5.
Service 8 – "Minor" timetable changes for punctuality, last bus now 10.30pm.
Service 9/9A/9B – The route will now be the same on each service between Bedford and Shefford, with each running every two hours.
Service 10 – Discontinued due to low passenger numbers
Service 20 – Off-peak trips ended.
Service 28 – "Minor" running time changes.
Service 53 – Wootton will be served by the new Service 2W, so ended.
Service 905 – Timetable changes due to ongoing major roadwork issues. New stop in Eaton Socon, St Mary’s Church added.
Service MK1 – Will now serve Distribution Centres for River Island; AG Barr; John Lewis Distribution; DXO Logistics and Waitrose in Milton Keynes from stops on Crossley Drive and Fen Street and stop at Luton Hatters Way Retail Park. "Minor timetable changes to aid punctuality".
Service X5 – "Minor" changes to some trips.