Good news for service 9 bus users between Stamford and Oakham

Bus operator Mark Bland Travel has been commissioned by Rutland County Council (RCC) to provide additional passenger transport services along the county’s Service 9 route between Oakham and Stamford.

This comes after Service 9 operator Centrebus advised the council that it intended to cancel several of its subsidised journeys along the Oakham to Stamford route.

The changes will come into effect from September 2 and result in the withdrawal of Service 9’s 4pm journey Monday to Friday, along with all Saturday journeys.

In response to the change, RCC has been exploring possible replacement journeys with other bus operators in order to maintain service levels.

This resulted in Mark Bland Travel being commissioned by the council to extend its existing 185 service and fill gaps in the Service 9 timetable.

In recent weeks, Centrebus has further evaluated its ability to operate service and has agreed its continuation of weekday morning services.

There will be a reduction in service for some journeys during the daytime on Saturdays, though alternative travel options are available.

Councillor Lucy Stephenson, portfolio holder for transport at Rutland County Council, said: “We are working extremely hard to maintain the county’s local transport services and have so far managed to avoid making the kind of cuts that have been introduced by councils in other areas.

"The pressures felt by operators are understood and we will continue to work with them to find solutions which will protect services.

“The effect of the service reduction of some journeys on Saturdays will be monitored.”

- A copy of the revised timetables and alternative routes can be found HERE

Residents in the east of the county also have the opportunity to make use of the on-demand Call Connect service, which operates in the Stamford and Welland area.

For information about Call Connect services and arranging a collection, visit: www.wellandcallconnect.co.uk or call: 01733 317 461.