Further to my recent update regarding Centrebus services in and around Corby, I have been keeping the pressure up around the need for solutions to be found for each of the existing routes and have been provided with a further welcome update doing just that, that I wanted to share, which explains that:
“Further to the previous communications about Centrebus services, Northamptonshire County Council have been working to secure replacement for the contracted services 8 and 18 in the Corby area.
Following a number of attempts to procure a replacement contract, a contract has been awarded to Whippet Coaches Limited in the last few days and today a registration has been received for a replacement for services 8 and 18. Subject to approval from the Office of the Traffic Commissioner, a Government body, this will commence on Monday 28 October.
The timetables from Thrapston, Brigstock, Little Stanion, Stanion, Corby Old Village, Geddington and Weekley are comparable to the current timetables, albeit with slight amendments. It is worth noting, however, that passengers from Brigstock who wish to arrive in Kettering before 1100 should travel on services towards Corby and remain on the bus.
Whippet Coaches, operating under the name "Go Whippet", are based in Cambridgeshire between Huntingdon and Cambridge. As a result of this and the operator's requirement to run buses to their depot to relieve drivers for a break, we are able to offer an experimental direct service from Corby and Thrapston to Huntingdon three times per day in the off-peak. Full details can be found on the following link: http://www.go-whippet.co.uk/latest-news/news/.
Denford, Ringstead and Raunds are no longer on service 18 and will instead be catered for, at a similar level of frequency to timetables of the last 15 months, on the commercial replacement for service 16. This restores off-peak buses direct to Kettering from these locations. Similarly, Brambleside and All Saints (Clover Hill) are covered by a commercial service to Kettering. For details on the commercial services replacing the 16, X16 and Brambleside, please visit Centrebus' website at the following link: https://www.centrebus.info/service-changes. Details of the commercial service replacing the W8 can also be found on this link.
We thank you for your patience whilst waiting for this complex matter to be resolved. Subject to Whippet Coaches receiving approval from the Traffic Commissioner, the 8 and 18 services will commence on the 28th October. The services are secured until the end of July 2020.”