By North East Lincolnshire Council step in to save the 5M bus service
NELC and their partner ENGIE have stepped in to subsidise and save the 5M bus service.
The service, which serves key training site CATCH, will mean local people can continue to access training and employment opportunities at Stallingborough.
The 5 bus service has returned to terminating at the County Hotel, Immingham, maintaining the 20-minute frequency but no longer serving ABLE UK and South Killingholme in North Lincolnshire.
The councils regeneration partner, ENGIE, has engaged with the local community, CATCH and the Bus Quality Partnership.
Based on feedback, ther council has made the decision to initially subsidise the 5M service- an extension to the 5 service for one year.
The service 5M runs Monday to Friday in the mornings and late afternoon, providing a direct transport link for those wishing to access one of the area’s key training sites.
Councillor Matthew Patrick, portfolio holder for transport, said:
“The service was previously running an enhanced route and frequency due to a two-year Department for Transport grant. Unfortunately, the grant has now ended and the route has come to an end as it is no longer commercially viable for Stagecoach to continue.
“Changes from Stagecoach included returning to the route terminating at County Hotel and removing the 5M service extension.
“The council made the decision to step in to support local people allowing them to access CATCH, one of the area’s key training sites. The subsidy will last for an initial one-year period.
“It is my hope that we might also find a way to support North Lincolnshire Council in bringing the service back to South Killingholme, and of course, we will continue to monitor the service and will look to continue the 5M service after the one-year subsidy working with Stagecoach and the Bus Quality Partnership.”
Councillor Peter Wheatley, portfolio holder for regeneration and skills, said:
“This is an opportunity for people to access work, training and education.
“We know how vital it is to have public transport to continue the regeneration of the area.
“This allows young people, and those without their own transport, to access a key local training site.”
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