University of Northampton working with county council to improve bus services in the town

The University of Northampton is working with Northamptonshire County Council to try to improve bus transport in the area.
The University of Northampton and Northamptonshire County Council are working together to help transform the provision of public and community transport across Northamptonshire.The University of Northampton and Northamptonshire County Council are working together to help transform the provision of public and community transport across Northamptonshire.
The University of Northampton and Northamptonshire County Council are working together to help transform the provision of public and community transport across Northamptonshire.

The two institutions, along with partners, will work together to brainstorm improved bus travel for both the public and community transport including hospital patients, the elderly and people with disabilities.

The government has pledged £750,000 in funding towards the initiative ahead of an Autumn hearing with the County Council Cabinet Committee.

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Inspired by the social enterprise theory where the profits of a more co-ordinated, integrated and efficient transport system will be invested back into local communities, it is hoped the improved system will be more cost effective for passengers and the county council.

The University of Northampton already use this concept through their own bussing system, Uno Buses, which stretches as far out as Milton Keynes and Bedford.

Terry Neville OBE, Chief Operating Officer of the University of Northampton, said of the plans: “The Total Transport project gives us a prime opportunity to make transport provision across the county more joined up, for the benefit of residents, the environment and the public purse.

“With 14,000 students, more than 2,000 staff and our very own bus service, the University has the potential to effect positive change in the way we travel around the county, and we’re delighted to be adding our expertise to the project.”

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Councillor Ian Morris, county council cabinet member for transport, highways and environment, said it was hoped the project could help reduce the costs of bus transport.

He said: “The traditional model of providing public transport has been in place for years and a review is long overdue so that it matches the way people want to make journeys now and in the future.”

The County Council Cabinet Committee will hear a report on the progress of the Total Transport Initiative next week.