Bedford’s new bus station is on track to open on the 29th March 2015 as final preparations are made to launch the new transport centre.

The multi-million pound project is one of the largest ever undertaken in the town; transforming the face of transport services in Bedford forever. A hive of activity is underway as the final development phase begins with the 24 hour bus station webcam showcasing the progress. Alongside work on the bus station itself a number of changes have been made on the forecourt area while the building is completed.

Andy Campbell from Stagecoach said, “The new bus station will improve transport for the people of Bedford and will be a much more pleasant environment for waiting for a bus; although they won’t be waiting long! We are delighted that Bedford Borough Council has taken steps to improve what was a bit of an eyesore in the town.”

The Bus Station area has already seen significant improvements including:

• Award winning revamp of Allhallows Car Park
• New Greyfriars surface car park opened
• Environmental Improvements including new paving, seating and tree planting
• Enhanced shop fronts and better disabled access

More improvements are also planned with further work on the shops  surrounding 14-28 Allhallows and a new departure hub; a satellite waiting area at the front of the new Bus Station, providing a safe and dry location for passengers departing the bus station from here. Like the bus station itself the departure hub will include screens showing the latest bus information and times.

The opening of the new Bus Station coincides with the publication of dramatic figures by the government which reveal that half a million more bus journeys took place across Bedford Borough between 2013 and 2014. Figures provided by the Department for Transport recorded that 6.7 million bus journeys originated from Bedford Borough in 2014; an increase from 6.2million in the previous year.

The new bus station will also be home to the Council’s new travel and tourism centre providing advice and information as well as tickets for rail and coach services.

Mayor of Bedford Borough, Dave Hodgson, said “For many years, the old bus station was frankly an embarrassment for Bedford, and the need for a new one has been obvious to local residents and visitors for decades. Now it is becoming a reality.

The new bus station is the central feature of an extensive programme of regeneration work, and represents a major improvement for the town centre and for bus users. It will provide modern, comfortable facilities, with clear and up-to-date information on services.  The forthcoming opening is great news for bus users and great news for Bedford Town Centre.”