Service 12 returns to Whitwick Village
An Arriva double-decker bus rolled into a Leicestershire village to pick up a special passenger.
The brand new route 12 stopped by for Whitwick resident Jacky McNiece, who’s been campaigning for the reinstating of a service through the village.
It was feedback from her, plus other villagers that led to Arriva bringing back the service, since the previous route changed in 2022.
The new route 12 will start on January 5, 2025, and will run hourly Monday to Friday between Whitwick and Memorial Square calling at City of Three Waters, King Richard's Hill and Whitwick Market Place.
Toby France, Arriva Midlands head of commercial, drove the bus to meet campaigner Jacky McNiece to thank her for her feedback.
Jacky, 68, is severely sighted and regularly has to attend her doctor’s surgery and medical appointments in Leicester.
She’s lived in Whitwick for 30 years and said: “With the route 12 being reintroduced, it means a lot to me. I now don’t have to worry about taking a long walk to another bus stop.
“This isn’t just a good thing for older people in the village, but young people too, who want to travel to the city. It’ll benefit so many people.
“I’m really pleased about bringing the service back and I can’t thank Arriva and Toby enough.”
Toby said: “We’ve worked closely with Jacky and members of the local community to hear their concerns about getting around.
“We want to do the right thing and make a real difference to customers’ lives which is why listened to Jacky’s feedback and we’re worked with the county council to find a solution.
“We’re really pleased to be launching the new 12 route and reconnecting Whitwick and hope we can further build this new route in future.”
Leicestershire County Councillor Ozzy O’Shea cabinet member for highways said he was pleased on behalf of the people of wo live in Whitwick.
He said: “This really is great news.
“It shows the sort of great things that can happen when the county council and Arriva work in partnership together for the benefit of the community.”