My treks to school—over three miles from my home—were made feasible by the number 4 and 10 buses. They operated at 30-minute intervals, a schedule that reliably got me to school on time. However, when the bus timetable was redesigned to 45-minute intervals, it threw my routine, and many others, into disarray. More often than not, the buses are late, making it impossible for me to reach school on time. My parents have stepped in to shoulder the additional workload, but it disrupts their day and is a burden they shouldn’t have to bear. This is more than an inconvenience; it's a disruption to education and family life that affects many in our community.

Essential services such as buses should serve the community's needs, and in Bedford—the fourth fastest growing borough outside London—the present schedule simply doesn't meet the demands. A 2017 survey by Campaign for Better Transport found that over half of the councils in England had reduced their support for buses in the past year, with Bedford being affected (‘Buses in crisis’ report, Campaign for Better Transport, 2017). This approach leaves many, particularly students like myself, in difficult situations.

We implore the Bedford Borough Council and the local bus services to acknowledge this issue and reinstate the original 30-minute-interval timetable for the number 4 and 10 buses. Your signature can help bring back a reliable and efficient transportation system for the residents of Bedford, many of whom depend on these buses daily. Please, sign this petition.