Bus service changes announced for routes linking Warwickshire and Coventry
Warwickshire County Council has announced that there will be changes to several bus services operating between Coventry and Warwickshire.
From January 2 2026, several contracts for routes in the Coventry, Nuneaton, Bedworth and Rugby areas reach their end and have been retendered to Stagecoach.
Later in 2026, new electric buses will be introduced across these routes.
Cllr Jennifer Warren, Warwickshire County Council portfolio holder for transport and planning, said: “In bringing these routes under new contracts and preparing for the introduction of modern electric vehicles later in the year, we are working to ensure that residents across the county can continue to depend on regular, accessible and high-quality public transport.
"We are grateful to our outgoing operators for their service and look forward to working with Stagecoach as these improvements are introduced.”
Services changes
Services 24 & 25 (Coventry–Stoneleigh–Kenilworth / Coventry–Ryton–Birdingbury–Bourton–Dunchurch–Rugby) now operated by Stagecoach
Minor timetable adjustments, including:
- The 6.55am Bourton to Coventry journey will start from Rugby at 6.33am.
- The 5.45pm Coventry to Bourton service will now depart at 5.50pm and extend to Rugby, arriving 7.18pm.
Services 73 / 73A (Nuneaton–Whitestone circular) now operated by Stagecoach
Minor timetable changes with an additional 12.45pm trip from Nuneaton Bus Station.
Services 74 / 74A / 74B (Nuneaton–Bramcote–Bulkington–Wolvey–UHCW–Coventry) now operated by Stagecoach
Timetable revised but the same number of trips.
More daytime services will run as 74B, serving Ivanhoe Road, Leyland Road and Marston Lane.
Service 75 (Nuneaton–Leyland Road)
Service withdrawn and replaced with additional 74B trips.
Services 78 / 78A (Nuneaton–Bedworth–Exhall–UHCW) now operated by Stagecoach
Increased to approximately every 90 minutes.
Faster journey times with a more direct route from Exhall via the M6 and Cross Point Shopping Centre.
The current route from Longford to UHCW is covered by National Express service 20A.
This service will no longer serve Armson Road, which is still served by Service 79.
Services 79 / 79A (Nuneaton–Bermuda Park–Collycroft–Bedworth–Keresley) now operated by Stagecoach
Timetable changes with the same number of trips.
Service will continue to serve Armson Road but will no longer operate via Exhall Black Horse Road (‘Boat’).
Services 85 / 85A / 85B / 85H / 85S (Rugby–Pailton–Brinklow–UHCW–Coventry) operated daily by Stagecoach
Timetable changes with similar overall frequency.
Last bus from Coventry extended to 9.20pm (Mon–Sat).
The Service 85B is reduced to two journeys per day.
All services except 85B and the school service (now 85K) will operate via Rugby Road in Harborough Magna.
Service 735 (Nuneaton/Coleshill–Ansley–Arley–Fillongley–Corley–Coventry) now operated by Stagecoach
Minor timetable alterations.
The Nuneaton to Ansley section will be withdrawn.
Coleshill to Ansley will operate daily except Sundays, with no advance booking required.
Additional changes
Service 84 (Rugby–Easenhall–Brinklow–Bedworth–Nuneaton)
This service will will gain extra trips, including:
- 4.20am (Mon–Fri), 5.16am (Mon–Fri), 6am (Sat) Rugby to Nuneaton
- 7.25pm (Mon–Fri), 9pm (Sat), 9.05pm (Mon–Fri) Nuneaton to Rugby
Ticketing Information
Tickets valid from January 2 2026 will be available via the Stagecoach website or bought on bus.
nBus tickets will continue to be accepted within the West Midlands Combined Authority area.
Pre-purchased tickets
Tickets from Arriva, National Express or Coventry Minibuses valid for up to four weeks will be honoured by Stagecoach for up to one month from their expiration date, and no later than January 31 2026.
Student and 5–18 term/annual tickets issued by Arriva or National Express will not be valid from the January term. Customers should contact the issuing operator for refunds.
For more information go to: https://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/buses