Conservative Councillor for Wilstead and Wixams, Graeme Coombes, has welcomed an announcement by Stagecoach confirming a re-think of their poor and unreliable MK1 bus service.

After a huge shake up of Bedfordshire’s bus network in November 2022, the old 81 service through Wilstead, Wixams and Elstow was replaced with much maligned MK1 service.

Since the timetable change, many residents have been left stranded as MK1 route buses routinely fail to show up on time with little communication on how long it will take for the bus to arrive. The poor reliability of the MK1 has been a source of constant frustration for users of this service in Wilstead and Wixams.

After Cllr Coombes raised the issue with the bus company via Twitter, Stagecoach have today confirmed they have reviewed the MK1 service and are looking to implement a revised timetable coming into effect from 4th June 2023.

Councillor Graeme Coombes commented,

“Since the overhaul to Bedfordshire’s bus network last November I’ve heard repeated complaints about the MK1, which replaced the 81 service. Sending buses along the M1 is utter madness and it’s no wonder there are delays. I hope to see this part of the route removed from the new timetable. My own recent journey on the MK1 got me to Wixams 16 minutes late, though residents tell me I got off lightly!

From unacceptable delays to a lack of communication on bus arrivals, Wilstead and Wixams residents have been frustrated by an unreliable service and unrealistic timetable. This is simply not good enough.

I am therefore pleased to hear that Stagecoach have reviewed the MK1 timetable and a new one will come into effect from 4th June. I hope the new timetable will be an improvement on the current one.”