A new bus timetable has been established in Fairfield that caters specifically to students who attend schools in the local area. From 2nd June 2025, buses 97 and 96A now have new times that travel to and from Stotfold Road, helping those who attend Etonbury Academy and Pix Brook Academy get to school.

Bus 97 will leave Dickens Boulevard at 08:03 and arrives at Stotfold Road at 08:081. This service also leaves Stotfold Road at 15:50 and arrives in Fairfield at 16:092.

Bus 96A will leave Stotfold Road at 15:21 and arrives at Dickens Boulevard at 15:383. Please note that this service will not stop at Fairfield during earlier and later services.

In addition, the existing bus stop, Etonbury Academy Stotfold Road Bus Stop, is being moved to slightly further up the road so it is closer to Pix Brook Academy. Plans to develop a permanent shelter are underway.

Going to School:

BusFairfield (Dickens Blvd)Stotfold Road
9708:0308:08

Heading Home:

BusStotfold RoadFairfield (Dickens Blvd)
96A15:2115:38
9715:5016:09

Councillor Jodie Chillery, who has worked alongside Central Bedfordshire Council to help make this initiative happen, praised the support of local schools4:

“Teachers from Etonbury have kindly agreed to stand near the new bus stop location to help children find it and ensure the bus actually stops there, anticipating any teething issues,” she said. “Teachers from Pix Brook—especially those on the gate—will also encourage children to walk at the required speeds to give the new timetable the best chance. I’m prepared for this to be a slow start, but I’m keen we get children on the bus (and bikes—more on the Fairfield cycle path soon, hopefully!) and get cars off the road for the school run.”

She also issued a note of caution for motorists:

“The bus will now be stopping on the road, and children may choose to cross in places we haven’t seen before. New desire lines may emerge, and this is something we’ll be monitoring closely. I will continue to lobby the council for crossing improvements, especially around Etonbury.”

For more information on bus timetables in the local area, visit the Central Bedfordshire website:
https://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/info/329/bus_timetables

  1. Traveline: 97 Outbound Bus Service ↩︎
  2. Traveline: 97 Inbound Bus Service ↩︎
  3. Traveline: 96/96a Inbound Bus Service ↩︎
  4. Facebook: Post from Jodie Chillery – CBC Cllr for Arlesey & Fairfield ↩︎