One bus service is saved as another is cut back

A bus service to Corby which was under threat has been saved for the next five years.

In March Centrebus announced plans to terminate the RF1 service, which runs between Melton, Oakham Uppingham and Corby, after its funding from Northamptonshire County Council was cut.

Rutland County Council has been working to find a new provider to take on the service, which attracted more than 120,000 passenger journeys last year. This week it reached a new agreement with Centrebus which has agreed to continue the service for five years. It will also add an extra stop at Corby railway station.

County councillor Lucy Stephenson (Con) said: “The council has worked hard to protect RF1 for the passengers who rely on this service. We’ve held a thorough procurement process which set out to ensure the continued operation of RF1 while also delivering best possible value for public money. I hope residents will be pleased that we have been able to do both.”

The council previously contributed around £50,000 to the service but the new contract will cost £122,000 per year.

The new timetable with the extra stop in Corby will start next month.

Centrebus is also making changes to its service from Oakham to Stamford. From September 2 the number 9 service will not run at 4pm on Monday to Friday, and will not run at all on Saturdays.

The council is looking to fill the gap with other transport providers.