The Parish Council was informed on Monday 21 February that Stagecoach are planning to cease running the 200 bus service between Daventry and Banbury, from 4 April 2022. Obviously this is a huge blow to users in the local communities on the route.
However, there is potentially some good news. ABILITY, a community-led “not for profit” organisation funded by West Northants Council, may be able to provide a bus service for residents which could start before the current service ends.
ABILITY operate 17-seater minibuses, slightly differently from a typical bus service:
- Passengers are required to pre-register
- Passengers call to book their journey
- They do not necessarily have to get on/off at a dedicated bus stop – alternative points can be arranged
- Passengers can pay by cash or card – or use their concessionary bus pass
- All drivers are DBS checked and professionally trained
In order to formulate a route and timings, ABILITY need an idea of possible passenger numbers, destinations, journey times and journey frequency. If you think this service might be of interest to you, please send whatever information you can to the Parish Council at email clerk@badby-pc.gov.uk and we will collate it and pass it on to ABILITY. You can pre-register immediately via their website www.abilitycic.org.uk
Also, Lynn Hinch from ABILITY will be at next Friday’s Tea & Meet at the Village Hall from 2-4 pm on 4 March, and will be happy to answer any questions you may have.