A new free bus service has been launched in Central Milton Keynes, connecting the train station to centre:mk and 12th Street.
Milton Keynes City Council and local bus operators have launched a free ‘hopper service’, connecting MK Central Station to Unity Place, centre:mk and 12th Street among other venues in the city centre.
The bus companies taking part include Arriva, Uno, Stagecoach, Red Rose Travel and Z&S Transport.
The ‘hopper’ can be accessed on all bus stops from Station Square to Theatre District. Passengers simply need to ask for a ‘hopper’ fare when they board a bus belonging to any of the participating firms.
The free ‘hopper’ is available until 31st March.
It’s being funded using government money provided from the Bus Improvement Plan.
The plan is a partnership between government, bus operators and Milton Keynes City Council in a bid to understand passenger requirements and deliver a better service.
The government funding is not designed to save routes at risk, but instead deliver concessionary schemes decided by the Department for Transport (DfT).
Last month MK City Council launched a separate campaign to save seven bus routes after operators said they would stop services if passenger numbers do not increase.
Cabinet Member for Climate Action and Sustainability, Cllr Jennifer Wilson-Marklew said: "We hope this initiative will help visitors to the city centre, especially as we approach the festive season, and following the opening of Unity Place – which we know is already very popular. We fully support the project, but we know this funding will only provide temporary relief. We’ll continue to campaign for the right funding with greater powers on how it is spent to deliver meaningful services.”
