Passenger Transport

Visit Bedfordshire’s countryside without the stresses of driving and parking. Let’s Go! provides all the information you will need to reach your chosen destination by public transport.

If any part of a route or site is within about a mile of a public transport connection, there will be information within its “Route & Access” page. We have also provided links to public transport websites that are currently available. As these services develop, we hope that it will become possible to provide links from routes or sites to specific services.

Trains

Bedfordshire has stations on three main lines - East Coast, Midland and West Coast - and one branch line - Marston Vale which links the Midland Main Line at Bedford with the West Coast Main Line at Bletchley (close to Milton Keynes).

There are a number of operators as shown below. They run trains to London, Sussex, the Midlands, the North of England, North Wales and Scotland. In general, you do not need to book in advance for local journeys and the easiest way to get information on rail services is through National Rail Enquiries (08457 484950).

Railways


National Rail Enquiries
Tel: 08457 48 49 50 or www.nationalrail.co.uk

First Capital Connect (formerly Thameslink)
www.firstcapitalconnect.co.uk

From Sussex (Brighton, Gatwick,), Surrey, South and Central London (St Pancras)

Stations at: Harpenden (Herts), Luton Airport Parkway, Luton, Leagrave, Harlington, Flitwick, Bedford

Midland Mainline
www.eastmidlandstrains.co.uk

From London (St Pancras), the East Midlands and Yorkshire

Stations at Luton Airport Parkway, Luton, Bedford

East Coast Mainline
Ticket info: 0870 850 88 22
www.firstcapitalconnect.co.uk or www.youreastcoast.co.uk

From London (King’s Cross), Yorkshire, the East Midlands, North East England and Scotland

Stations at Hitchin (Herts) & Arlesey, Biggleswade, Sandy

Tel: 08457 225 225
Open Sun - Thu 08:00-22:00, Fri + Sat 08:00-20:00
Intl tel: +44 191 227 5959

West Coast Mainline
Tickets in advance: 0870 609 6060 or www.londonmidland.com
Tickets in advance: 08457 222 333 or www.virgintrains.co.uk

From London (Euston), the West Midlands, North West England, North Wales and Scotland

Stations at Leighton Buzzard, Bletchley (Milton Keynes) and Milton Keynes Central

Marston Vale Line (Bedford – Bletchley)
Tickets in advance: 0870 609 6060 or www.londonmidland.com

Stations at Bletchley, Fenny Stratford, Bow Brickhill, Woburn Sands, Aspley Guise, Ridgmont, Lidlington, Millbrook, Stewartby, Kempston Hardwick, Bedford St Johns, Bedford

Also see www.travelsmartuk.com which has useful information about car sharing and cycling as well as bus and train travel.

Buses

Bedfordshire has an extensive network of bus services operating Mondays – Saturdays. There is a more limited service on Sundays and Bank Holidays.

For further information please contact the Bedfordshire Bus Information Hotline on 01234 228337 (open Monday – Friday 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.) or Traveline 0870 608 2 608 open (7 a.m. – 10 p.m. daily except Christmas Day)

Community Transport

The phrase “Community Transport” covers all schemes set up to serve people unable to use conventional public transport, whether they be people needing to make essential journeys in isolated rural areas, or less mobile people unable to use conventional public transport however much of it there is. The one thing these schemes have in common is that they are operated by people working together to solve their own transport needs. These schemes are nearly always dependent on voluntary effort and are most successful when the work load is shared by a large number of dedicated people.

Community Transport in Bedfordshire

There are a variety of community transport schemes within Bedfordshire. Some of these schemes do not fit neatly into categories, but broadly they can be split into the following types:

Accepting Fares

Any group operating a minibus and wishing to accept money from their members towards the cost of travel, even if that charge is not called a fare, needs to hold a section 19 (small bus) permit. This includes where the members club together to pay for the petrol, even if there is no profit made.

Most non-profit making groups can hold a section 19 permit. Examples of groups which can hold these permits are Scouts and Guides, Football clubs, and Dial a Ride Services. Many of the bus owners who lend their vehicles under the brokerage scheme will require the hirer to hold a permit.

To obtain more information, or to apply for a permit, please contact Nick Dore at Bedfordshire County Council on 01234 228991.

Concessionary Fare Bus Passes

Your local District or Borough Council provide travel concessions to residents of Bedfordshire over 60 or with certain disabilities. You may need to provide evidence of your eligibility for a permit.

With a concessionary travel permit you will pay half the adult single or return fare with a maximum fare in Mid and South Bedfordshire of 50p single and £1 return on each bus within the County. For residents of Bedford Borough the maximum fares are currently 40p single and 80p return.

Concessionary fares are available on all local bus services open to the public, including those operated by Community Transport Groups. Concessionary fares are NOT available for journeys made by Community Car Schemes or Village Care Schemes.

More details of Concessionary Fare schemes can be obtained by contacting your local District or Borough Council, whose addresses are in the Useful Addresses section at the back of this booklet.

The District and Borough Councils run separate concessionary fare schemes for Dial a Ride members. Please contact your local Dial a Ride operator for more details.

Community Buses

These groups operate scheduled buses on fixed routes and timetables. The routes are open to the general public and the vehicles can be flagged down at bus stops although some stops will only be called at on request. All of the staff of these services are volunteers. In busy periods, such as just before Christmas, it is advisable to book a seat in advance. Please contact the operator for full details of the services they provide. Concessionary fare permits are accepted on buses operated by these groups.