Bus routes in Rutland to be discussed by council and residents
Changes to Rutland’s bus services will be discussed at a forum next week.
People who travel via the bus network are being invited to a meeting at the Rutland County Council offices from 11am on Wednesday (December 11).
The authority is planning to remove some uncommercial services such as the regular service between Oakham and Melton Mowbray and introduce an on-demand service run by neighbouring Lincolnshire County Council. Other changes include reducing the weekday service between Uppingham and Stamford.
Councillor Christine Wise (Lib Dem - Uppingham), cabinet member for highways, transport and communities at Rutland County Council said: “Our bus users' group meetings are a great way to share information with passengers, as well as answering questions and receiving feedback.
"This latest meeting gives us an opportunity to talk to passengers about our bus service improvement plan, after it was given the go-ahead last month.
"Operating a rural bus network is particularly challenging right now but we’re determined to provide the best service that we can.”
All the information will be made available afterwards for those who cannot attend.
Rutland County Council’s cabinet met on November 12 to approve the bus service improvement plan that aims to increase access to public transport. This includes trialling a 'dynamic demand responsive travel' service by spring 2025.
The authority has spent government levelling up funding on electric buses, which will form part of the on-demand service.
It will operate in several zones around the county that help to connect villages with main bus routes, which then provide onward travel to larger destinations.
The new service will use existing bus stops in these areas as pick-up and drop-off points, with passengers able book their journeys in advance – either online or by phone.
Rutland County Council will also be using the funding to create a new transport hub at Cold Overton Road, however plans for that had yet to be approved due to initial safety concerns about the location.
