Lincolnshire County Council is funding a return of late evening bus services across Lincoln city that it hopes will be a boost for the city’s night time economy. The services, run by Stagecoach East Midlands, are being paid for as part of the council’s ongoing Bus Service Improvement Plan and began on Monday 22 April.
The council says that since the onset of the pandemic, evening bus services on a number of key routes were reduced, with last buses typically departing around 2100 or 2130hrs, but the funding will allow the introduction of hourly night journeys on these routes until around midnight. Cllr Richard Davies, executive member for Transport at Lincolnshire County Council said: “I am absolutely delighted that the funding made available for bus improvements in Lincolnshire is continuing to deliver services like this. On top of the £2 single fare capped price continuing until the end of 2024, the fact that we have been able to fund these additional Stagecoach routes as part of their latest additions to the timetable are very welcome.
“I really hope that people will support the evening service as part of the wider bus improvements being brought to our county.”
Managing Director of Stagecoach East Midlands Matt Cranwell added: “Providing convenient transport solutions is of vital importance to us, and the reintroduction of night-time journeys to our Lincoln network responds to the changing needs of our passengers, post-pandemic. These extended service hours not only offer new journey times for leisure seekers but also essential workers, including those in the hospitality and healthcare sectors.
“We’re grateful for the support of Lincolnshire County Council in making this initiative possible and encourage passengers to enjoy the benefits the new timetables provide for cost-effective, late-night travel.”
Routes which have new evening services will see journeys operated hourly on Mondays to Saturdays, with the last bus departing from Lincoln at or after midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.
