National Recognition for Work to Improve Bus Services in Bedford Borough

Bedford Borough Council has been 'highly commended' for its work to improve rural bus services at the National Transport Awards.

The judging panel were impressed by the improvements to the rural bus network, which has seen users increase by 25% since 2011.

Bedford Borough saw off stiff competition from much larger authorities including Essex County Council, Northamptonshire County Council and Transport for Greater Manchester.

The borough's scheme started in 2010 when the Council carried out a comprehensive consultation with rural residents to help draw up a list of requirements which were used as the basis to invite tenders to operate the rural network. The Council then worked with preferred bidder Grant Palmer to deliver a rural bus network based on the wishes and requirements identified in the consultation.

Regular tweaks and improvements have been made to the services since, resulting in a 25% increase in the number of passengers on rural bus services and positive feedback from local passenger group, the Bedford Area Bus Users Society.

Lib Dem Mayor of Bedford Borough, Dave Hodgson, said: "This award demonstrates that by working with local residents, bus users and passenger groups we can not only avoid the wholesale cuts seen in other areas but can provide excellent services for our rural communities.

"In addition to the improvements to the rural bus services, we have also expanded evening and Sunday services in Bedford and Kempston. We will continue to support high quality bus services across the borough, particularly in rural areas which provide a vital link for many people."