NEWSFLASH: Melton bus services saved from the axe

Centrebus announced this week it was reducing its Service 8 journeys to and from the towns to just five a day from August 13 because it was not financially sustainable to continue all of them.

But Leicestershire County Council said this afternoon (Friday) that it had agreed to provide an additional short term subsidy to continue the current Service 8 bus timetable between Melton and Loughborough until March 31 next year, at least.

The Melton Times reported the comments this week of upset passengers who said the axed services meant they would struggle to visit Loughborough on market days and they would cause huge inconvenience to them.

County Hall said today it had taken note of those concerns.

Pam Posnett, cabinet member for passenger transport, said: “I’m pleased that we have been able to secure the current timetable for bus users in the Wolds between Melton and Loughborough.

“I would encourage residents to use the service while we undertake surveys to understand the pattern of journeys that passengers make.”

Matt Evans, managing director at Centrebus, said: “We are extremely pleased that Leicestershire County Council has been able and willing to financially support the 8 service between Loughborough and Melton Mowbray.

“This will allow it to continue in its current form.

“We encourage our existing customers and new bus users to travel with us to help ensure the service can be retained for the long term.

“Centrebus would like to thank all customers and stakeholders for their patience and support in this matter.”

The county council will now undertake more detailed surveys of current usage of the Melton/Loughborough service to determine how the longer term financial support for the key journeys can be delivered from April 2018.