Harborough councillors and MP 'on board' with new bus arrangements as city and county services join forces

The X3 and X7 services have joined forces, making it easier for passengers to travel between Harborough and Leicester. Image: Immanuel Giel

Passengers of Arriva and Stagecoach buses can now use tickets bought from either operator on two routes between Leicester and Market Harborough.

From last week, people who buy tickets for either the Stagecoach X7 or the Arriva X3 routes can now use that ticket to travel on whichever of the two services they wish.

Valid tickets include adult or child day, week, or four-week tickets. Student Term and Academic Year passes will continue to only be valid on the buses of the operator issuing the ticket.

The companies have also looked again at their timetables to ensure the two routes run at half hour intervals through the day. This, coupled with the new ticket arrangements, means passengers should not have to wait more than 30 minutes to travel.

Harborough MP Neil O’Brien has welcomed the news he said should lead to less frustration for residents: “These changes are hugely welcome.

“I remember only just a few months ago, the X3 and X7 were not coordinated at all, which led to frustration when the two services arrived at bus stops at the same time, often leaving a gap of up to an hour between buses. That has now changed, with both the bus companies entering an enhanced partnership which is a formal arrangement recognised by law, which has resulted in a half-hourly service between the two services.

“The other benefit is that for the first time, Arriva X3 tickets can be used on the Stagecoach X7 service, and vice versa. This means that passengers can now hop on the next service, no matter which one it is. It also means that residents in Great Glen with Arriva tickets can now use them on Sundays when the Stagecoach X7 runs through the village.”

These new arrangements have been introduced as part of the Leicestershire Enhanced Bus Partnership, which brings together bus operators and the council with the aim of improving bus services and accessing future funding to enhance the public transport network.

Arriva Midlands’ head of commercial, Toby France, said: “This partnership demonstrates our commitment to delivering simpler journeys for our customers, ensuring bus travel continues to be convenient, good value, and, of course, an easy way to lower your carbon footprint and protect our environment.”

Mark Whitelocks, managing director of Stagecoach Midlands, said: “As well as offering a more regular, coordinated frequency during the busiest times of day, the option to use your bus ticket on either service is a great benefit to customers. There’s never been a better time to get onboard.”

Arriva and Stagecoach previously joined forces to introduce a simpler, more coordinated, more reliable timetable for buses between Nuneaton, Hinckley and Leicester on routes 148 and 158.

David Taylor, chair of the Leicestershire Enhanced Bus Partnership, said: “I’m delighted that the partnership has been able to support this improved service for the travelling public and to see Arriva and Stagecoach further working together to bring this about.”

Councillor Ozzy O’Shea, Leicestershire County Council cabinet member for highways and transport, said: “It’s fantastic to see Arriva and Stagecoach working together to deliver real benefits for Leicestershire residents, a partnership that the county council has been pleased to support.”