A Stevenage bus user has celebrated recent changes made to services in the town after launching a petition.

Ann began her petition in late 2022 after becoming frustrated at the regularity of the number six bus route.

At the time, she told the Comet: "We want a decent, reliable and regular bus service for Stevenage, which is no more than we should expect or deserve - a regular, safe and clean service for the whole of Stevenage."

Yesterday (September 3), changes came into force that saw Galleon Travel replace Arriva as the operator of the SB6 and SB11 services.

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The first and last services on the current SB6 timetable will be cut, as a result.

The SB7 circular route between Stevenage and Great Ashby has been adjusted so that it will now serve Bedwell too, but the SB4/SB40 and SB5/50 routes will no longer serve Bedwell.

Ann believes that - despite some services being changed from every 15 minutes to every 20 minutes - buses have become more reliable in the area.

Ann told the Comet: "3,201 people signed that petition because the bus service was absolutely diabolical. 

"Many people did say to me that they agreed and wanted to sign it, but it would not do any good, no one would listen, nothing would happen, nothing would change and we would hear no more. 

                                                                                                                               

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"Well, it was a battle but almost a year later we have got a conclusion which we hope will be good for most of the passengers, but you never can please all the people all of the time. 

"Arriva and Intalink did listen, and did act, so our efforts were not in vain."

Speaking of her experience of buses in more recent times, Ann continued: "Arriva have done a massive recruitment drive which has resulted in so many new faces behind the wheel, and I must say that this action has also resulted in most of the drivers seeming to be so much happier.

"They are not receiving the abuse from passengers because of a bad service. 

The Comet: Ann started her bus petition after becoming frustrated at the regularity of the number six bus route.Ann started her bus petition after becoming frustrated at the regularity of the number six bus route. (Image: Pearce Bates)

"It is also apparent, the fact that there are no longer great throngs of people at the interchange all uptight with the no show of all the buses - everyone saying their bus route was the worse one - they are obviously on their bus instead, that says something.

"Yes there are still hiccups, its the nature of the service, but I personally am finding that I am having more confidence and they rarely let me down now."

The full list of yesterday's changes can be seen below:

55 - Stevenage Bus Station to Letchworth

Minor changes to timetable.

74 - Bedford to Hitchin

Timetable change "to improve punctuality".

97/97A/98/98A - Hitchin to Stotfold/Baldock
Service 97 will now serve Purwell Lane on all weekday journeys. 97A journeys to operate as 97s. Service 98 has minor timetable changes and 98A journeys to operate as 98.

100/101 - Stevenage Bus Station to Luton Interchange

Timetable change "to improve punctuality".

SB1 - Poplars to Gunnels Wood Rd
Minor changes to timetable.

SB2/SB3 - Stevenage Bus Station to St Nicholas (Circular)
Minor changes to timetable.

SB4/SB40 - Stevenage Bus Station to Broadwater, Shephall (Circular)
Services no longer serve Bedwell - see SB7 for alternative.

SB5/SB50 - Stevenage Bus Station to Broadwater, Shephall (Circular)
Services no longer serve Bedwell - see SB7 for alternative.

SB6 - Stevenage Bus Station to Shephall (Circular)

Galleon Travel appointed as new operator.

SB7 - Stevenage Bus Station to Great Ashby (Circular)
Changes to route and timetable. Service will now serve Bedwell.

SB8/SB9 - Stevenage Bus Station to Symonds Green (Circular)

Changes to SB8 timetable - Bragbury End will be served on Mondays to Saturdays evenings only. A replacement service to Bragbury End is being investigated.

SB11 - Stevenage Bus Station to Haycroft Rd (Circular) via Pin Green

Galleon Travel appointed as new operator.