On the buses! £3 NightRider promotion extended after trial

A successful £3 evening bus ticket promotion is being extended until the end of November, giving residents and visitors more opportunities to enjoy Northampton’s evening economy for less.

The NightRider offer, delivered through a partnership between Northampton Town Centre Business Improvement District (BID), West Northamptonshire Council and Stagecoach, has sold 2,300 tickets in its first three weeks. The initiative has also coincided with a 150 per cent increase in the number of standard day tickets sold after 6pm, highlighting the growing demand for evening travel.

The promotion gives customers access to unlimited Stagecoach bus travel across Northampton from 6pm for just £3, making it more affordable to visit the town centre for an evening out, whether that means meeting friends for dinner, enjoying a drink, attending a live performance or exploring the town’s leisure and entertainment offer.

Following the strong initial take-up, the partners have agreed to extend the offer beyond its original October end date, keeping discounted travel available throughout November.

Mark Mullen, BID Manager and Chief Operating Officer at Northampton Town Centre BID, said: “The response to NightRider has been extremely encouraging, with 2,300 tickets sold in just three weeks. It shows there is a real appetite for people to enjoy everything Northampton has to offer after 6pm when getting into town is more affordable.

“Making evening travel cheaper helps remove one of the barriers to visiting the town centre. Every additional visit creates an opportunity for our restaurants, bars, shops and entertainment venues to benefit, supporting the businesses that make Northampton a vibrant place to spend time.

“We’re delighted to be working with West Northamptonshire Council and Stagecoach to extend the offer until the end of November. We want to encourage even more people to discover what’s available in Northampton after dark and make the most of the town’s evening economy.”

The NightRider promotion forms part of Buses for You, a wider marketing campaign encouraging more people to choose local bus travel. The campaign is coordinated by GO Travel Solutions and delivered as part of West Northamptonshire Council's Bus Service Improvement Plan, with funding from the UK Government.

Cllr Richard Butler, WNC Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, said: “We’re pleased to support initiatives that make public transport more affordable and encourage people to visit Northampton town centre. The early success of the NightRider promotion demonstrates the potential for discounted evening travel to help residents and visitors access the town’s hospitality, leisure and entertainment offer.

“Extending the promotion until the end of November gives more people the opportunity to benefit from lower travel costs while supporting the businesses that contribute to a thriving town centre.”

Mark Whitelocks, Managing Director of Stagecoach Midlands, added: “We are delighted by the success of this scheme - affordable, accessible bus travel can make a real difference to the cost of an evening out. By helping people travel into and around Northampton for less, we hope to encourage more customers to explore the town, enjoy its many venues and support local businesses.

“In Northampton, we now have a fleet of ultra-modern, comfortable and quiet electric buses – so, why not give them a try for your next great night out, and enjoy everything that the town has to offer?”

The extended promotion forms part of Northampton BID’s wider Night Mode ON campaign, which encourages residents and visitors to discover the range of experiences available in the town centre after 6pm.

The online Night Mode ON guide highlights Northampton’s hospitality, entertainment and leisure offer, from independent bars and restaurants to live music and cultural destinations including Royal & Derngate, Northampton Museum & Art Gallery and 78 Derngate.

The guide is available at www.discovernorthampton.co.uk/evening-economy-guide/.

The £3 NightRider promotion is now available until 30 November 2026.