CHANGES have been implemented to bus timetables which Stagecoach says will ‘improve’ school and college services at the start of the new term.

Stagecoach has made several changes to bus services in the area which the bus company hopes will improve services for students to Cirencester College, Deer Park School and Kingshill.

These new timetable changes - including for the 882, the 51, the 51X and the Cirencester College bus - were either implemented last weekend or will be this weekend.

In particular, Stagecoach has implemented more direct routes, extra morning and afternoon trips and new lunchtime journeys for pupils attending Cirencester College.

While these have been welcomed, a college spokesperson said they ‘had to pay a significant amount of money’ in order to make this happen.

Karen Fraser, vice principal at the college said: “We understand the pressures on rural communities and businesses and we are pleased with the improvements, with the expectation that the college routes will make a significant contribution to the local economy.

“Unfortunately, the college has had to pay a significant amount for the service to make it happen, something that we are not funded to do.”

Other changes have been made to school services in the hope of improving services for Deer Park and Kingshill students. The 882 service - Gloucester to Tetbury via Cirencester - will no longer serve Coates which Stagecoach says would allow services to arrive on time at both schools.

A Stagecoach spokesperson said: “We have made minor updates to its network in and around Cirencester, delivering improved punctuality for school pupils, college students, residents, and commuters.

“As a key transport partner of Cirencester College, Stagecoach West has implemented a number of small but important changes, which will greatly benefit students travelling daily by bus, to and from the college.

“These improvements include more direct routes, extra morning and afternoon trips and new lunchtime journeys, all designed to provide greater flexibility for students.

“Stagecoach West will also continue to run Service 882 (Gloucester – Cirencester – Tetbury) and thanks to a minor route update, pupils will be sure to arrive on time for the start of the school day at Deer Park School and Kingshill School, Cirencester.”

Chris Hanson, managing director of Stagecoach West, said: “We are pleased to offer these improved transport connections for Cirencester College students, especially those living further afield.

“The changes we are making to our network in and around Cirencester will improve our punctuality and reliability – making the bus an even better option for our communities.”

A spokesperson for Cirencester Action on Buses has urged passengers to check the new timetables carefully.

They said: “As far as the 51 and 882 services are concerned the only changes are the times so we urge passengers to study the timetables carefully on the website.

“Overall, we note some services leave a little later at the end of the day which may benefit commuters and school children.”