Local Bus Operators Lead the Way to Free Vaccination Travel

 

Lancaster's local bus operators are leading the way to join an initiative by Lancashire County Council to provide free travel for anyone attending an appointment at an NHS Vaccination Centre, although it appears to have met with a lukewarm response from operators in some parts of the Council's area.

The Bus Users' Group understands that despite "a number of opportunities to confirm their participation" many operators have yet to do so.  The Bus Users' Group is, however, pleased to be able to confirm that both Stagecoach and Kirkby Lonsdale Coach Hire have agreed to join in. Other operators known to be participating are Blackpool Transport and Coastliner Buses, although the Council is requiring all of its tendered services to be included in the scheme, which will bring in a large number of other bus companies throughout those parts of Lancashire administered by the County Council.

Meanwhile in Furness, the Friends of the X112 have announced that they too will be providing free travel to vaccination centres on services between Coniston, Ulverston and Barrow-in-Furness.

Under the scheme, anyone with a confirmed appointment for a Covid jab can travel free of charge to and from their vaccination centre by showing proof of their appointment to the bus driver.

The initiative is expected to continue "until further notice".

City Centre Bus Stops Closed Next Week

 

Spring Garden Street will be closed and the bus stops in George Street out of use.

Roadworks on Spring Garden Street from Monday to Wednesday next week (6th to 8th December) mean that no buses will be able to serve the city centre stops at George Street.

Here are the alternative arrangements for the affected services:

SOUTHBOUND

1/1A (University)  4/4X (University) 40/41 (Preston) 42 (Blackpool) 100 (University).

These buses will run via Thurnham Street and King Street and WILL serve the Common Garden Street stops.

NORTHBOUND

1/1A (Heysham)  41 (Morecambe)  100 (Morecambe then 2X to Heysham) 

These buses will run direct via King Street and will call at Queen Square. They will NOT call at George Street or Common Garden Street.

OTHER SERVICES

2X (To Lancaster bus station) will operate via Thurnham Street and King Street and call at Queen Square instead of George Street.

7 (Vale) will operate to and from Lancaster bus station only.

9 (Farmdale Road) Buses towards the bus station will be unable to stop in George Street and will call at Queen Square instead.

11 (to Marsh) will operate via Thurnham Street and King Street and call at Queen Square instead of George Street.

18 (to Lancaster Bus Station) will operate via Thurnham Street and King Street and call at Queen Square instead of George Street.

The diversions are likely to cause delays to the services affected.