Kettering and Corby bus services to be updated from September, bringing new route and improved frequencies

Stagecoach Midlands has introduced changes to bus services in Kettering and Corby, from Sunday (August 30) bringing new services, increased frequencies and updates to improve punctuality of local buses.

Service 3 will have a revised timetable, with frequency increased to every 15 minutes on Monday to Saturday daytime, in partnership with North Northamptonshire Council.  Whereas, Service 9 will have a new hourly journey to Brambleside and Stamford Road on Mondays to Saturdays, in partnership with North Northamptonshire Council, partly replacing Service 16 on this section. Services will operate a clockwise one-way loop via Brambleside and Stamford Road.

Service K1 will be introduced as a new service between Kettering town centre and Buccleuch Academy following requests for improved connectivity to the school; this service will interwork with Service 10 in Kettering town centre to provide opportunities for through-journeys to the academy from the south of Kettering. From 13th September, this service will be fully incorporated into Service 10, with no changes to the timetable, allowing pupils to benefit from through-ticket travel on the same bus.

Service 10 will have a revised timetable in conjunction with new service K1, and Service X10 will also have a revised timetable offering improved timing connections for people attending Moulton College; many journeys will now serve Lake Avenue in Kettering.

There will be a revised route and timetable for Service 16 to improve punctuality. It will terminate in Kettering town centre and no longer serve north Kettering and Brambleside, as this will now be covered by the new Service 9. Service 48 will also have minor timing changes to afternoon journeys.

Service 50 will be split into two: Stagecoach Midlands will continue to run the service between Kettering and Rushden town centre, whilst Stagecoach East will now run the service between Rushden Lakes and Bedford. This will mean an increased level of service between Rushden Lakes and Rushden town centre. Connections between services can be made either at Rushden Lakes or at Rushden town centre.

Midlands Gold tickets will be valid throughout both legs of Service 50; Bedfordshire Plus tickets will be valid on Service 50 between Bedford and Rushden Lakes, and locally on Services 50, X46 and X47 within Rushden and Higham Ferrers. Wellingborough Megarider tickets will be valid as far as the last stop in south Rushden, just before the A6; customers for Sharnbrook should use Bedfordshire Plus tickets.

Service 50A will have a revised timetable in conjunction with changes to Service 50 and Services 94/95/601/CB1 are due to finish on 29th August as they are currently being retendered by North Northamptonshire Council.

Mark Whitelocks, managing director of Stagecoach Midlands said: "We hope that the introduction of new routes and journeys will offer a significant improvement for our loyal customers in the region. It is important for such a dynamic and rapidly developing area that its bus services go where people want to travel and at times, they want to travel – and we hope that these updates will achieve just that.

“The bus is a great value and convenient way to get around our region, so, with these improvements, maybe now is the time to leave the car at home and jump on board.”

-- To find out more about local bus routes and services, to buy before you board, and to track your local bus, download the Stagecoach Bus App from https://www.stagecoachbus.com/promos-and-offers/national/stagecoachbusapp.