Rutland Gears Up for County-Wide On-Demand Buses

Rutland Gears Up for County-Wide On-Demand Buses

Rutland County Council is on the cusp of completing a transformative rollout of its new on-demand bus service, set to provide comprehensive coverage across the entire county from August 4, 2025. This ambitious expansion, part of the Council's Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP), aims to dramatically enhance access to local transport and foster more sustainable travel options for residents.

The innovative on-demand minibus service, which launched its initial phase on March 31, 2025, has already proven a significant success. Operating in a zone covering the north-west of the county between Oakham and Melton, the service has transported over 1,500 passengers in just its first two months. This early uptake signals a strong demand and positive reception for this flexible new model of public transport.

The full county-wide rollout from August will see the on-demand service seamlessly connect villages with main bus routes, facilitating onward travel to larger destinations. This integrated approach promises to open up transport opportunities for communities that may have previously lacked convenient public transport links.

The new service is delivered in partnership with Lincolnshire's Callconnect, leveraging their established expertise. Passengers can easily book journeys via Callconnect's smartphone app or over the phone, with as little as one hour's notice. The service utilises existing bus stops as convenient pick-up and drop-off points, ensuring a familiar and accessible experience for users.

To help residents understand and embrace the new system, Rutland County Council is holding a series of roadshow events in towns and villages that will be part of the final rollout. These events offer a valuable opportunity for passengers to learn more about how Callconnect works, how to book journeys, and to ask any questions they may have.

In a further boost to encourage uptake, the Council is extending the offer of free travel on all on-demand buses until March 31, 2026. This extended period of free travel will allow residents to experience the convenience and benefits of the new service without any financial barrier. Comprehensive information about the expanded on-demand service will also be made available on the Council’s new Rutland Buses website: www.rutlandbuses.info.

Councillor Christine Wise, Cabinet Member for Transport, Environment and Communities at Rutland County Council, expressed her enthusiasm for the project. “Use of Rutland’s new on-demand bus service has been fantastic in the north of the County and we’re looking forward to completing the rollout in other areas this summer," she stated. "With full on-demand coverage across Rutland, we’re going to have villages and communities that will be able to access a bus service for the first time ever. This is what we mean when we talk about making public transport available to more people, in a way that’s more cost effective for the Council and greener for the environment.”

Cllr Wise further encouraged residents to attend the upcoming roadshows. “Our upcoming roadshows are a great way to learn more about the new service. There’s no need to book, just turn up where one of our team will be available to answer your questions and give you information on how to register, book and use the buses.”

Upcoming Information Events:

Residents are encouraged to attend one of the following roadshow events to learn more about the expanded on-demand bus service:

Tuesday, June 17:

Uppingham Library: 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM

Oakham Library: 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Monday, June 23:

Essendine (outside the community centre): 9:30 AM – 10:00 AM

Little Casterton (by the phone box): 10:30 AM – 11:00 AM

Great Casterton (outside the clinic): 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM

Tinwell Village Hall Car Park: 12:30 PM – 1:00 PM

Wednesday, June 25:

Ketton Library: 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Thursday, June 26:

Morcott Bus Shelter: 9:30 AM – 10:00 AM

Barrowden Bus Stop (by The Exeter Arms): 10:30 AM – 11:00 AM

Tixover (outside the care home): 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM

South Luffenham Bus Shelter (Stamford Road): 12:30 PM – 1:00 PM

North Luffenham Bus Stop (by the primary school): 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM

Monday, June 30:

Hambleton Church: 9:00 AM – 9:30 AM

Empingham (doctors surgery bus stop): 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM

Normanton: 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM

Edith Weston (outside The Wheatsheaf Pub): 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM

Friday, July 11:

Oakham Library: 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM

Uppingham Library: 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Tuesday, July 15:

Bisbrooke (junction of Glaston Rd and Church Lane): 10:00 AM – 10:30 AM

Seaton (between the village hall and bus shelter): 11:00 AM – 11:30 AM

Belton (outside The Sun Inn): 12:00 PM – 12:30 PM

Wing (layby outside Wing Church): 1:00 PM – 1:30 PM

Ridlington (bus shelter at the top of Noel Lane): 2:00 PM – 2:30 PM

Braunston (bus Shelter outside The Blue Ball pub): 3:00 PM – 3:30 PM

Thursday, July 17:

Ryhall Library: 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Friday, July 18:

Ketton Library: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM