Getting to and from St James, public or private transport?

Public transport is a vital part of everyday life and really has a positive impact on your overall carbon footprint.

As of 2023, the available public transports to St James End is primarily via bus, of which include the 7, 8, 9, 9A, 9B, 15 and the 96. These buses are owned and operated by the Stagecoach bus company.

St James End is also 100 yards away from Northampton’s own train station, providing great direct links to both London and Birmingham for residents who work outside of town. 

And compared to the rest of the town, getting in and out of St James End through public transport is very easy, but compared to the surrounding areas is a different story.

photo by Francesca Roche

Even after Stagecoach reduced its single ticket fee to a maximum of £2, many of the Northampton buses have switched to single rather than the usual double decker buses, and under 25s do not receive any free bus travel help.

And even with free state pensioners bus travel, Northampton is competing with its neighbouring cities such as Leicester for quality and efficient buses, with their bus system HOP! providing free transport every 10 minutes around the city centre for anyone of any age.

West Northants councillor Wendy Randall commented on X on how impressive Leicester had become in regards to transport “Free bus that is a circle route stopping at the hospital, train station, university, bus centre, and town centre”.

The councillor has frequently promoted the under 25’s free bus pass scheme to help out young people.

However going by private transport in and out of St James End is very dangerous, with a recent car and bike crash at the roundabout seen outside the retail park earlier this month.

And with the price of fuel increasing, sticking to conventional and easy methods of travel has become more difficult to carry on with.

And when poorly managed public travel is too expensive for the everyday person, depending on it as your main source of transport can be risky.

The majority of tweets directed towards Stagecoach buses in Northampton is the frequent lack of buses not arriving on time or at all.

If you're from St James End or travel through St James End on a regular basis, let us know on our socials what your preffered method of transport is!