Arriva and Stagecoach work together to boost bus use
Market Harborough and Leicester
Bus companies Arriva and Stagecoach have joined forces to introduce a simpler, more coordinated, more reliable timetable for buses between Leicester and Market Harborough.
Tickets will be accepted by either operator on two routes, which means passengers won’t have to worry about which service comes first.
The Arriva X3 bus and the Stagecoach X7 bus routes will accept tickets from either operator.
Routes X3 and X7 will now give a bus up to every 30 minutes between Market Harborough and Leicester Monday to Saturday, with X7 continuing to provide an hourly service on Sundays.
Passengers will able to use any valid Arriva or Stagecoach adult or child/young person day, week, or 4-week ticket for travel on either the Stagecoach route X7 or the Arriva X3.
Student Term and Academic Year products will continue to be valid onboard the buses of the operator issuing the ticket.
The coordinated ticketing arrangements have been introduced as part of the Leicestershire Enhanced Bus Partnership, which brings together bus operators and the council with the aim of improving bus services and accessing future funding to enhance the public transport network.
Arriva Midlands’ head of commercial, Toby France said: “This partnership demonstrates our commitment to delivering simpler journeys for our customers, ensuring bus travel continues to be convenient, good value, and of course an easy way to lower your carbon footprint and protect our environment.”
Mark Whitelocks, managing director of Stagecoach Midlands, said: “As well as offering a more regular, coordinated frequency during the busiest times of day, the option to use your bus ticket on either service is a great benefit to customers.
“There’s never been a better time to get onboard.”
Arriva and Stagecoach previously joined forces to introduce a simpler, more coordinated, more reliable timetable for buses between Nuneaton, Hinckley and Leicester on routes 148 and 158.
David Taylor, chair of the Leicestershire Enhanced Bus Partnership, said: “I’m delighted that the partnership has been able to support this improved service for the travelling public and to see Arriva and Stagecoach further working together to bring this about.”
Councillor Ozzy O’Shea, Leicestershire County Council cabinet member for highways and transport, said: “It’s fantastic to see Arriva and Stagecoach working together to deliver real benefits for Leicestershire residents, a partnership that the county council has been pleased to support,”