A group of local individuals are campaigning to save the 747 bus, a Centrebus service running from Uppingham to Leicester 6 days per week.

There is presently a campaign in multiple villages along the 747 route to retain this essential service.

The service runs from Monday to Saturday and serves 12 villages/locations in between Uppingham and Leicester.

The route runs Monday to Saturday, and excludes bank holidays. Image credit: Screenshot / Centrebus.

On Friday 4 March, a group from the Rutland & Launde Labour Party asked Uppingham residents to support the campaign.

A spokesperson for the group said: "We are pleased to say that 316 people signed and these signatures will be added to those collected elsewhere in Leicestershire and Rutland. In the face of earlier public opposition from villages along the route, Leicestershire County Council have now commenced a period of public consultation before a final decision is taken on the future of this route. People recognise that all councils are struggling for funds, but there is a need to maintain these services."

Over the past 30+ years there has been a significant change in bus use across the rural areas of England. In 1985/86, bus use in England outside London was over 3X that of London.

Following the Transport Act of 1985, all bus services outside of London were privatised. This meant that many rural services had to be funded by local authorities if they were to continue.

By 2018/19, the most recent year for which valid data is available, bus use had declined to just 0.96X that of London, a more than 3 fold reduction in use.

Why does this matter?

In September 2020 the National Audit Office (NAO) reported that bus use is particularly common for those under 20 and those over 70. Bus use reduces harmful emissions and wear and tear on our roads, so we all benefit from their use.

The NAO also reported that Central Government support for local authority bus services had suffered a reduction of 38% between 2010/11 and 2018/19, the most recently available figures.

The group concluded: "We need additional funding for rural bus services if Rutland is not to be cut off from centres such as Leicester. We cannot just assume that everyone has access to car. In 2023 the people of Uppingham, and those villages along the 747 route, should not have to sign petitions to simply secure access to bus services."

The bus runs regularly and is used by commuters and those travelling for leisure. Image credit: Screenshot / Centrebus.

The route has faced cancellation before, but was saved in January 2021, when Rutland County Council and Leicestershire County Council agreed a joint funding initiative with Centrebus.

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