Festive Cheer Rutland Offers Free Bus Travel and Shopper Services This December and Supporting Local Shops with Free Parking

Festive Cheer! Rutland Offers Free Bus Travel and Shopper Services This December

Rutland County Council is unwrapping an early Christmas gift for residents this December, offering free bus travel on selected Saturdays and introducing special free shopper bus services to popular retail destinations. These festive promotions aim to make the holiday season easier, more affordable, and more sustainable for everyone in Rutland.

Free Travel Days on Local Services

All passengers can enjoy free travel on Rutland’s local bus services on the following two Saturdays:

• Saturday, December 13

• Saturday, December 20

These free days are designed to encourage residents to get out and enjoy the Christmas season, whether that means shopping for gifts, meeting friends, or supporting the county’s local businesses without the stress and expense of driving and parking.

Special Free Shopper Bus Destinations

In addition to the local services, the Council is running two special free shopper buses to popular out-of-county destinations:

Date	Destination	Operator
Saturday, December 13	Peterborough	Bland’s
Saturday, December 20	Nottingham	Lawson’s of Corby

To ensure your seat on one of these popular shopper buses, advance booking is essential.

• To Book: Telephone 01572 758138 or email transport@rutland.gov.uk.

Timetables for these services can be found at bus stops along the shopper routes and on the Rutland County Council website: www.rutland.gov.uk/rutland-buses.

A Greener, Easier Christmas

Councillor Christine Wise, Portfolio Holder for Transport, Environment and Communities, expressed her delight at the initiative. She noted that December can be both busy and expensive, and the free travel is intended to help ease costs while encouraging community connection.

"Travelling by bus is a great way to reduce congestion, cut carbon emissions and connect with others in our community, all while avoiding the stress of driving and parking during the festive rush," said Councillor Wise. By choosing the bus, residents can make their festive journeys more sustainable and contribute to cleaner air and clearer roads in Rutland.

Supporting Local Shops with Free Parking

To further support local businesses and Christmas shoppers, Rutland County Council is also offering free parking in public council-run car parks on several key shopping days:

• Small Business Saturday: Saturday, December 6

• Late Night Shopping Events:

  • Uppingham: Thursday, December 4 (from 3pm)

  • Oakham: Monday, December 15 (from 3pm)

These parking promotions are designed to encourage residents to shop locally and support the vibrant retail offerings within the county.