Rutland County Council is offering free bus travel throughout the month of December for journeys starting inside the county. 

The initiative forms part of Rutland's Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP), which has secured national funding to encourage greater use of public transport – helping local authorities to offer periods of free or heavily subsidised bus travel.

Journeys taken in December will be free for any single or return ticket on all routes when passengers board in Rutland after 9am, including on Saturdays. 

The Council hopes this will encourage more people to travel across local bus routes, helping to decrease traffic, reduce carbon emissions from private vehicles and provide local businesses with a boost over the busy festive shopping period. 

Councillor Christine Wise, Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport, and the Environment, said "It's very pleasing to have the opportunity to provide free transport across the month of December. We understand that while December is a very festive and family centred time of year, for many it can be extremely lonely.

"Free bus travel offers people in the area an opportunity to get out and see friends and family, attend events and shop at no additional transport cost to them. We are always looking at ways to promote our bus network, and we believe this is an excellent opportunity to do so."

However, this has been criticised by some locals, who suggested that the council stop increasing charges, such as the green waste collection fee or Council Tax, to support local households rather than offering free services that will only be used by some.

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For more information about bus travel in Rutland, including timetable information for all routes serving towns and villages in the County, please visit the RCC website.