An expansion to the Village Hopper bus service, VH1, means that visitors can now get to Stanwick Lakes and Rushden Lakes by public transport for the first time, with hopes it will open up the Northamptonshire attractions to even more people.
When another operator pulled out of the Bozeat to Wellingborough route, the Village Hopper, working with North Northamptonshire Council, stepped in and extended the route.
Passengers on the VH1 service will be able to travel directly from Wollaston, Bozeat, Easton Maudit, Grendon, Cogenhoe, Brafield, and the Houghton’s to Northampton, Wellingborough, Weston Favell, and to the Chamber Member organisations, Stanwick Lakes and Rushden Lakes.
Billie Passchier, Stanwick Lakes’ Trust Director, said: “This has been a long time coming so we are absolutely delighted that for the first time, people will be able to visit us by bus. It means we’ll now be able to welcome people who may not have been able to visit us before, making Stanwick Lakes even more inclusive.
“The service during the school holidays also makes Stanwick Lakes more attractive to families looking for ways to get children outdoors and entertained during the break.
“We’d like to thank all those involved who have worked hard to make this bus service happen, allowing more people to access and make the most of this very special place.”
The minibus will run like a regular bus service with a set timetable with journeys between 7:30am and 6pm several times a day from Monday to Saturday to help residents travel to work, college, the shops and Northampton General Hospital.
It offers free travel to children under-five, and grants a 20 per cent discount for passengers below the age of 16. It also provides free off-peak travel for senior citizens after 9.30am. As well as the purchase of tickets on the bus and the acceptance of any valid concessionary bus passes, the VH1 will also be part of the previous government’s scheme that will see a maximum fare on bus services of £2 until the end of December 2024.
With Cogenhoe & Whiston Parish Council expanding their existing route, this brings cost savings to the council and the savings will now be utilised to fund other bus services across North Northants.
The Village Hopper timetable is available online on the Cogenhoe and Whiston Parish Council website.
Residents can find links to bus operator timetables on the NNC website, including the Village Hopper and some continuing Stagecoach journeys on service W8 at Monday to Friday peak times, with times suitable for school children.
Photo: Billie Pisscher, Cllr Phil Larratt, Jon Bailey, Donna French and Cllr Matt Binley. Credit: Northampton Chronicle & Echo