Fears over bus route changes

Arriva say they are making the alterations from August 31 “to reflect the different ways people use buses since the launch of the Busway”. But Central Beds councillor Julian Murray told the Gazette: “It may be good for business, but I am worried that it may not be good for the public.”

A combined 38 and 39 timetable will provide a service every 30 minutes between Parkside and Luton, every 15 minutes between Windsor Drive and Luton and every 30 minutes to Dunstable, with the Busway providing another four buses per hour.

There will no longer be a Route 37. Route 38 will be reduced to run every 30 minutes from Monday to Saturday and will no longer serve Parkside and Tithe Farm estates in Houghton Regis. They will be served by the Busway A service, up to every 15 minutes.

Route 39 will not serve Dunstable, apart from one school journey in the peak morning and afternoon times. There will be an improved evening and Sunday service on the Busway.

Extra buses have been added to Routes 24,25 and 26 during morning and afternoon busy times to provide a better service for those going to and from the colleges.

Councillor Murray said: “It worries me that there will be fewer buses running through the towns of Dunstable and Houghton Regis. People will have to wait 30 minutes for a bus service going down Houghton Road to Dunstable. People living at Tithe Farm will have to get two buses to go to Morrisons and may have to buy two bus tickets.”

Linsey Frostick, Arriva’s regional marketing manager, said: “There are two less buses an hour to Dunstable on the road services as most people are choosing to make that journey on the Busway A service.