Content

To award a local bus contract after a competitive tender
process for improvements to services between Kettering
and Rushden to Midland Red (South)
Limited.  
 
The contract commenced on 5 January 2026 following the termination of the temporary timetable for the A6
roadworks and a period of negotiation with the operator and
will run until 31 March 2029. 

Reasons for the decision

 Most bus services are
provided commercially, but the Council can supplement these
services with additional subsidised
services. 
 
The council is using these powers to facilitate the improvement of local bus services between Kettering and Wellingborough or Rushden via
Burton Latimer. 
 
The Council has combined several Section 106 agreements, supplemented by a
small amount of Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP)
funding, to produce a funding package that would
“pump prime” the bus operator to improve service
levels.
 
These levels of service are working towards the frequencies in the
Council’s Enhanced Partnership Plan. These services will more
adequately reflect the needs of the local community after
the increase in residential households and commercial properties on the corridor. It is hoped that the improved
service will become self-sustaining after the funding
period. 
 
 
The improvement of services
includes: 
 

•         
The increase of frequency to two
buses per hour between Rushden and Kettering and three buses per
hour between Barton Seagrave and Kettering Mondays to Saturdays for part of the day. 

•         
The provision of a new late
evening service between Rushden Lakes and
Kettering. 

•         
120 seats for Finedon to Huxlow
school on schooldays. 
 
The operator also included some commercial improvements which
were introduced at the same
time: 
 

•         
The diversion of service 48 via
Kettering railway station to aid integration with rail services. 

•         
To provide faster journeys between Kettering and Bedford
via Service 50. 

•         
A new morning peak journey from
Rushden to Kettering. 

•         
More buses on
Sundays. 
 
The additional services will be reviewed and refined over a
period of the contract.