Since the Number 2 service between Leicester and Loughborough was reduced, I have been working on a solution. When the changes were ๏ฌrst announced, I asked local residents to let me know how this would affect them, to which I received hundreds of responses. Then, I met with bus companies and wrote to local businesses asking for their help in supporting our villages.
Following that work, I was pleased that Vectare and Centrebus both announced partial services linking Barrow and Sileby to Leicester.
However, from 7th January 2024, Centrebus will go even further with their 22A service. The revision will see the introduction of an hourly journey between Barrow, Sileby, Cossington and Leicester for the majority of the daytime. There will also be an evening peak time trip out of Leicester aimed at work commuters. These additional trips will operate on weekdays. The Centrebus 128 route will be withdrawn in name, but those journeys will be included in the new service 22A timetable .
I was interested to learn that the local bus company, Kinchbus, will be bidding for the Governmentโs Zero Emission Bus Regional Area funding, a bid that I am supporting.
The scheme initially supported bus companies with the rollout of zero emission busses, the development of zero emission bus technology and provided learning on the challenges of introducing zero emission busses and supporting infrastructure.
The next phase of the scheme will provide ยฃ129 million to support the introduction of zero emission busses in upcoming years. If successful, the bid will allow Kinchbus to purchase 21 fully electric vehicles and corresponding charging infrastructure for their ๏ฌeet in Loughborough. If successful, the new electric buses would operate on all Loughborough town services, as well as Kinchbus 2, Kinchbus 9 and sprint, which connects Loughborough town with Loughborough Train Station and Loughborough University. A superb addition for our area and a help to reduce air pollution locally.
Finally, I would like to take the opportunity to give you my best wishes for 2024, and hope that you had a wonderful festive period. Should you require my assistance in 2024, then please do get in touch by post, telephone or email.
Jane Hunt MP
