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Saunterbus 2006 |
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2007 UPDATESadly, after 22 years of service, Saunterbus has reached the end of the road. It has proved impossible to find an operator with a suitable vehicle at a reasonable cost. Strict rules governing drivers' working hours are part of the problem. In many cases it is simply not permitted for a regular driver working for one of the big bus companies to volunteer a few extra hours on a Sunday. Regular passengers will no doubt
have memories of their favourite trips. Perhaps the time when Stagecoach
ran an old London Routemaster around the John Clare route? Or the
Stagecoach driver who drove around the grounds of a stately home to
track down a missing elderly passenger? Or perhaps the Alec Head coach
that went off route and brought down some overhead power cables? A
special thanks also to the drivers who posed the bus for photographs.
Now we will have to find a new pastime for summer Sundays. |
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A modern bus trundling through country estates and down narrow country lanes seems incongruous but Saunterbus is a great way of getting out into the local countryside. Saunterbus will run every Sunday and bank holiday from July 2nd until Monday August 28th 2006. Routes vary but typically are circular and take about 2 hours. Usually the bus runs around the route 3 times so it is possible to break the journey twice and explore selected attractions for a couple of hours until the bus comes around again. Saunterbus is organised and funded by Northamptonshire County Council. Most weeks Saunterbus starts from Northampton and so it is necessary first to take the train or car to Northampton. The Saunterbus contract for 2006 has been awarded to York's Coaches. This follows a number of years when the service was operated by First. This year, for the first time, the service is operated with a single deck vehicle. This does not offer quite the same views or capacity as a double decker but given the tight budgets this year it was felt to be the only viable option. |
Saunterbus Calendar 2006The 2006 Saunterbus brochure contains
timetables, maps and details of attractions en route
including phone numbers, opening hours and admission prices where
applicable. Phone the Northampton Tourist Information Centre on
01604 622677 and ask them to send you a copy. |
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2006 Prices
Saunterbus tickets are valid all day. National Transport Tokens are accepted but regrettably the Sunday Rover & Explorer tickets will not be accepted this year. |
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Most PCs have the Adobe Reader but you can download it if required. |
Click on a date or browse the list of destinations below.
| July | Sunday 2nd Sunday 9th Sunday 16th Sunday 23rd Sunday 30th |
| August | Sunday 6th Sunday 13th Sunday 20th Sunday 27th Monday 28th |
Timetable information courtesy of Northamptonshire County Council