Stagecoach invest £5.6m into 37 new buses for Northampton

FROM THE NORTHAMPTON HERALD & POST

Stagecoach Midlands has announced that it is investing a massive £5.6 million in 37 new single deck buses for some of its major bus routes in Northampton.
The buses, which started arriving just before Christmas have been stored and prepared for service at its Northampton bus depot and the first 14 buses will start appearing on the following routes:

- 5 between Southfields, Weston Favell Centre, the town centre, Sixfields, Duston & St Giles

- 10 between Parklands, Kettering Road, the town centre, London Road, Mereway & West Hunsbury

- 15 between Acre Lane, Kingsthorpe & town centre

- 36 between Horton Gates/Piddington, Hackleton, Wootton & Northampton town centre

The remaining 23 buses will arrive during the next three months and Stagecoach hope to have all 37 buses in service by the end March 2014.

The investment demonstrates Stagecoach Midlands’ continued commitment to providing quality bus services to the residents of Northampton and follows the company taking over a number of bus routes formally run by First, after its withdrawal from Northampton in September 2013.

The first 14 buses were jointly launched today by Councillor Andre Gonzalez de Savage, Northamptonshire County Council, Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth & Public Protection; and Councillor Michael Clarke, Northampton County Council, Portfolio Holder for Transport, Highways & Environment.

Cllr Andre Gonzalez de Savage said “I welcome this investment in improved local bus services and the benefits that it will bring passengers. This investment compliments the new Rail Station, the new North Gate Interchange, as well as further investment in the Enterprise Zone and the new town centre initiatives, such as the planned University campus.”

Cllr Michael Clarke added “I am delighted to see such a customer focused operator further upgrading the service that it offers to the people of Northamptonshire. The improved accessibility will provide new travel opportunities for many.”

Steve Burd, Managing Director of Stagecoach Midlands said “This is the largest single investment in new buses for Northampton’s bus network and represents an unprecedented upgrade in the quality of vehicles being provided to passengers in the town.

“We believe that our investment will encourage more people to try the bus and persuade them that travelling by bus not only makes environmental sense but is also a cost effective means of transport.”

“The investment follows Stagecoach’s recent purchase of 9 new ‘Gold’ buses at a cost of £1.8 million for its X46/X47 service between Thrapston, Raunds, Rushden, Wellingborough & Northampton.

The new buses will begin a programme of route branding in January to help customers identify their bus more easily.

http://www.northampton-news-hp.co.uk/News/Northampton-News/Stagecoach-invest-56m-into-37-new-buses-for-Northampton-20140106200000.htm