W8 Wellingborough–Bozeat Explained

Service W8 is a bus service which operates between Wellingborough and Bozeat via Wollaston.

History

The bus route was operated by Stagecoach in the past prior to being taken over by Centrebus.^[1] Following a decision by Northamptonshire County Council to cancel all bus route subsidies, then-operator Centrebus stated that the W8 route would be cut as a result.^[2] In November 2019, the service transferred from Centrebus to Grant Palmer.^[3] The company had informed the council that the route was no longer viable due to financial pressure and a driver shortage. The council subsequently decided to spend £14,000 on subsidising the route until April 2022.^[4] On 8 November 2021, the service will transfer from Grant Palmer to Stagecoach East Midlands.^{[5] [6]}

Usage

In 2018 it was estimated that around 30 people used the route. It currently runs at an hourly frequency.

References

1. Web site: 2019-12-19. Not worth service despair. 2021-11-03. Buses Magazine. en.
2. Web site: CUTS U-TURN: Slashed bus subsidies will take us back to the 'Stone Age' fears Northamptonshire villager. 2021-11-03. Northampton Chronicle & Echo. en.
3. Web site: 2019-11-21. Centrebus gives up in Northants. 2021-11-03. Buses Magazine. en.
4. News: 2021-11-01. Wellingborough: Council pays £14,000 to keep bus route running. en-GB. BBC News. 2021-11-03.
5. Web site: 2021-10-28. W8 passes to Stagecoach. 2021-11-03. Grant Palmer.
6. News: Bagley. Alison. 2021-10-29. Threatened Wellingborough school bus route saved as council rides to the rescue. en-GB. Northamptonshire Telegraph. 2021-11-03. 0307-1235.