Rutland County Council to Cease Funding for R4 Bus Service Amidst Sustainability Concerns
Rutland County Council has announced its decision to wthdraw funding for the R4 bus service, which operates between Uppingham and Peterborough, effective at the end of the current academic year on July 18, 2025. The move follows a comprehensive Transport Network Review that deemed the service financially unsustainable.
The R4, operated by Central Connect, currently provides a single return journey each weekday, primarily serving 11 to 13 children attending The King’s School in Peterborough. The service runs throughout the year, with the exception of August.
The Council has cited the prohibitive cost of subsidising the R4 service as the primary reason for its withdrawal. With an annual subsidy of £40,000, the cost per passenger equates to more than £3,000. Rutland County Council has emphasised that it has no statutory obligation to provide this particular service, as attendance at The King’s School is based on parental choice and does not entitle students to free home-to-school transport.
Councillor Christine Wise, Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport and Communities at Rutland County Council, elaborated on the decision: "As part of our recent Transport Network Review, all bus services across the County have been reviewed to make sure they’re affordable. We have a long-term plan to make bus travel more accessible and sustainable. To achieve this, we’ve had to take the difficult decision to withdraw funding for some services that are no longer viable. A financial commitment of £40,000 each year for a single return journey, five days a week is just not sustainable, given the pressure on our budget. Our resources are finite and we need to invest this money in ways that allow more people to access public transport across the whole of Rutland."
The proposal to consult on the future of the R4 service was initially approved by the Cabinet in November 2024 as part of the broader Transport Network Review. A subsequent consultation period allowed parents and The King’s School to provide feedback on the proposed funding withdrawal. Following this process, Rutland County Council formally notified Central Connect of its decision on June 4, 2025.
While the R4 bus service offers a direct route to The King's School, the Council noted that an alternative direct train service is available from Oakham to Peterborough. This existing rail link may provide a viable transport option for affected students and families once the R4 service ceases operation.
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