Oakham Hopper Free Travel for the Community funded by Oakham Town Council

Oakham Hopper Free Travel for the Community funded by Oakham Town Council

Unlike many municipal transport systems that require fares or complex pass systems, the Oakham Hopper is free to travel. The service is operated by Rutland County Council (RCC), but its continued existence is made possible through funding provided by Oakham Town Council (OTC).

This arrangement ensures that residents can access local shops, medical facilities, and community hubs without the barrier of travel costs, significantly reducing social isolation and promoting local economic activity.

The Town Council’s commitment to the service is a significant part of its annual budget. 

Oakham Town Council first stepped in to subsidise the service in 2022, following a restructure by the County Council to move the service in-house. 

For the current financial year, the council has continued its support, with the contribution rising to £29,000

Notably, while Oakham Town Council pays Rutland County Council, Oakham Town Council has no formal contract with Rutland County Council for the service. Instead, the funding is provided as a voluntary contribution to ensure the service remains operational for the benefit of the town's residents.

The number of passengers using the service is widely disputed. While Rutland Council informed Oakham Town Council that hundreds of passengers use the service monthly, some residents remain skeptical, suggesting these figures represent 'invisible' passengers. This skepticism was evident in 2024 on MP Alicia Kearns' Facebook post, where many constituents questioned the data following the use of government funding to replace the minibus.

The Oakham Hopper is designed with modern environmental and accessibility standards in mind. The service utilises a fully electric minibus, contributing to cleaner air and quieter streets within the town center. The vehicle is fully accessible to all passengers, featuring low-floor entry or lifts to accommodate wheelchairs and those with limited mobility.  In many areas, the bus operates on a "hail and ride" basis, meaning drivers can pick up passengers anywhere it is safe and legal to do so, not just at marked bus stops.

Routes and Road Names

The Hopper serves a comprehensive loop of the town. Key roads and areas on its route include:

John Street (Bus Station)

High Street and Market Place

South Street (serving Tesco)

Hackney Drive (serving the Co-op)

Bosal Way (serving Aldi)

Foxfield Way and Springfield Way

Woodland View and Willow Crescent

Glebe Way and Welland Way

Barleythorpe Road and Huntsman Drive

Braunston Road (extending out to Braunston village)

Timetable Information

The service typically runs Monday through Saturday, excluding bank holidays. You can find the latest departure times and the full route map via the link below:

View the Oakham Hopper Timetable