By Andrew Topping, Local Democracy Reporter
A Nottinghamshire councillor has urged the public to continue using a once-at-risk bus service after it was again protected for passengers.
Nottinghamshire County Council and Stagecoach have extended their commitment to the route exactly a year after it was saved from the axe.
Former provider Trentbarton confirmed last year it could no longer afford to run the route, from Sutton-in-Ashfield to Nottingham, amid lagging passenger numbers.
But campaigns from politicians and petitions from the public called for the route to be saved – citing it as a “vital lifeline” for communities.
The route connects Sutton and Nottingham via Mansfield and several other villages and towns like Bestwood, Hucknall and Rainworth.
It also connects residents to King’s Mill Hospital and City Hospital and is described as “vital” for rural communities in accessing shops and services.
Months of concern in 2022 led to meetings between Trentbarton bosses, county councillors and cross-party politicians trying to find a solution for the route.
It led to the Conservative-led county council committing to subsidising the route for 12 months before Stagecoach committed to taking it on in full.
This was described at the time as a “victory for people power”.
Now both organisations have confirmed their commitment to the route again in a new deal bringing better terms for the service.
The cost of the subsidy paid by the taxpayer to run the route will eventually reduce over time with the operator to develop and market the service in the future.
The route and timetable of the 141 will remain the same in the new deal, the organisations have said.
Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Cllr Neil Clarke (Con), cabinet member for transport and environment, said: “This isn’t a traditional service, it serves a lot of people for a lot of different reasons.
“It’s important we keep it going as it’s such a comprehensive route with the volume of passengers going up and down depending on where you are.
“It’s serving so many communities – including urban communities and then going out to the rural and isolated areas – and that’s the beauty of it.”
He confirmed there has been an increase in passenger numbers since Stagecoach took over the route and said this showed saving it was “the right thing to do”.
But he added the route must continue to be used to ensure it does not become at-risk again in the future.
He said: “We’ve worked hard to make sure it can continue. It’s really important to a lot of people and we’re really pleased to keep it going for residents.
“Reliability has improved dramatically and passenger numbers have increased quite substantially.
“But we want to make sure people do keep using it and to encourage as many people as possible to use it and make sure it continues, improves and keeps going.”
Stagecoach East Midlands added it is “delighted to partner [with] Nottinghamshire County Council to deliver 141 between Sutton, Mansfield, and Nottingham”.
