Bus service updates
Bus operators are required to submit a local bus service registration to the Traffic Commissioner if they wish to start a new, or vary an existing, local bus service. This includes changes to the timetable or route and can range from changing the time of one journey to withdrawing (cancelling) the service entirely. The service must then be run at the times and along the route in accordance with the registered details. The bus operator must also notify the County Council of its intention to submit a registration to the Traffic Commissioner.
As part of the Leicestershire Enhanced Partnership, it has been agreed with the operators that local bus service registration changes will occur on the following fixed dates. Note that dates marked * apply to changes to services in the County only:
|
Change date description |
Month(s) |
Actual dates in 2026/27 |
|
Start of school Spring term |
January |
5th January 2026 |
|
First day after Spring half-term break |
February |
23rd February 2026* |
|
Start of school Summer term |
March / April |
13th April 2026 |
|
First day after Summer half-term break |
May / June |
1st June 2026* |
|
Start of school Summer holiday |
July |
13th July 2026 |
|
Start of school Autumn term |
August |
24th August 2026 |
|
First day after Autumn half-term break |
October |
26th October 2026 |
|
Start of school Spring term |
January |
4th January 2027 |
|
First day after Spring half-term break |
February |
22nd February 2027* |
|
Start of school Summer term |
March / April |
5th April 2027 |
|
First day after Summer half-term break |
May / June |
7th June 2027* |
|
Start of school Summer holiday |
July |
12th July 2027 |
Exemptions
Some services are exempted from the fixed dates either because they are cross-boundary services which align with the change dates of neighbouring local authorities or because they are a contracted service. The current list of exempted services is:
Arriva
7 Burbage – Nuneaton; 158 Leicester – Nuneaton; X84 Leicester – Rugby
Central Connect
93 Bingham – Grantham
Kinchbus
9 Nottingham – Loughborough; Sprint Loughborough University – Railway Station
NCT
1 Nottingham – Loughborough
Stagecoach
18 Kettering – Market Harborough; 148 Leicester – Coventry; X7 Northampton – Leicester
trentbarton
my15 East Midlands Airport (EMA) – Ilkeston; skylink Derby – Leicester via EMA and skylink Nottingham – Coalville via EMA
Other bus updates
For details of other changes to bus services in Leicester and Leicestershire including where these are necessary because of roadworks or other causes, please see our Bus Service Disruptions page or operator’s own websites for information.
Leicestershire Network Review
Bus services financially supported by Leicestershire County Council were reviewed in 2025-25 to ensure that they can be provided in the most cost-effective way to meet the travel needs of our communities.
Further information about the timeline of the review and the revised services that have been introduced so far can be found on the Leicestershire Network Review page.
