Passenger numbers on Grant Palmer’s 42 bus service have risen by 46.6 per cent over the past year, the company says.
The Bedfordshire-based operator said the route, which runs six days a week between Bedford, Flitwick, Toddington and Dunstable, has seen strong growth as more people use it for work, education and leisure journeys.
The 42 also serves Bedford Hospital and the Interchange Retail Park.
Route extended to Dunstable
Grant Palmer said one reason for the increase was the extension of the service to Dunstable in September 2025.
That change was delivered in partnership with Central Bedfordshire Council and funded through the Bus Service Improvement Plan.
The company said the extension had improved connections across the network and made the route more useful to a wider range of passengers.
Fares and extra capacity
The operator also pointed to lower fares as a factor in the rise in use.
These include the Central Bedfordshire Council Young Person Card, which offers £1 fares for under-19s and £20 weekly tickets for regular travellers.
Grant Palmer said it has also introduced higher-capacity vehicles on some of the busiest journeys to help meet demand at peak times.
The service runs hourly, increasing to every 30 minutes at busier times of day.
Commercial manager Thomas Manship said the figures reflected continued demand for reliable local bus services and showed the value of investment and partnership working.
He said the increase in passengers was particularly welcome at a time when operating costs across the bus industry remain high, adding that stronger passenger numbers help support the long-term sustainability of the route.
