Some of Dunstable and Houghton Regis’ key figures welcomed the Guided Busway at its offical launch event on Tuesday (September 24).
Nigel Young – the man who Head of Traffic Management David Bowie called ‘the engine room for the Busway’ – gave a speech at Central Beds College after the ribbon-cutting.
He said: “There’s a crazy misconception that we at Central Beds Council are spending £90million to send shoppers into Luton.
“The Busway will regenerate the economies of Dunstable and Houghton Regis.
“It’s another milestone for Dunstable, and we are finally connected with the rest of the world.
“Watch out Dunstable, Houghton Regis and Leighton Buzzard; you really are living in exciting times – you are about to see great changes.”
Mayor of Dunstable John Chatterley was among those invited on the Busway’s maiden voyage.
He said: “It was great – really smooth.
“I’m sure it’s going to be of great benefit to Dunstable – it can only be a plus.
“It’s great for people working in Dunstable, and now we’re linked to the airport it’s easier to go on holiday, too.”
Houghton Regis Mayor Peter Williams said: “It’s absolutely fantastic. We’ve waited a long time for this.
“Originally, I was skeptical until I went to see Cambridge’s Busway, but now I think it’s phenomenal.”
Central Beds College Principal Ali Hadawi CBE said: “It’s great for our students – 30 per cent of them travel from Luton.
“Also, for prospective students living 10 minutes out on the other side of Luton, our college is suddenly a 20 minute journey.”