The first phase of Rutland's new on demand bus service starts at the end of this month. 

As part of a cost saving measure, Rutland County Council is bringing in a new on demand minibus service, which will serve villages across the county, which have been divided into three different zones. 

The first zone covering the north-east of the county between Oakham and Melton will start on March 31.  

While the new bus system has been lauded by the authority, proposed cuts to a number of services, such as the R5 to Ketton, which will see its service much reduced, have been criticised and sparked protest from users. 

The authority, which is in the midst of a long-term savings drive, hopes to save £300,000 each year with the new bus service programme. Normal fixed route services will run along the new on demand service, which is being operated in partnership with Lincolnshire's CallConnect. The service will use existing bus stops as pick-up and drop-off points, with passengers able to book journeys on Callconnect's smartphone app or over the phone with as little as one hours' notice.  It will be free to use for the first three months. 



The new bus service will cover Oakham and Melton, with the potential for others to be added later (Photo: LDRS)

Before the launch, a series of roadshow events will take place so that residents can find out more. 

Cabinet member for transport at Rutland County Council, Christine Wise (Lib Dem), said: "These roadshow events will be a great way for people to learn more about how their local transport network is changing, as well as seeing our new vehicles and asking any questions they may have. 

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"Our officers will be on hand to explain how to use the new CallConnect service, how to book a journey and how on-demand buses will work alongside Rutland's conventional, fixed-route bus services. All this information will be made available online for those who can't make it along an event. There will also be more chances to see and speak to us after March, as we prepare to widen the new on-demand service to the rest of the county this summer."  

The information events will cover areas including Market Overton, Greetham, Cottesmore, and Wymondham.   

Information including a timetable for the new RZ1 fixed route will also be available at the roadshows, which is replacing the current R2. The new service will operate during peak times, with DRT operating at off peak times. 

The transport roadshow dates, times and locations are:  

Tuesday, March 11 

• Cottesmore (between The Sun Inn and village shop), 9.30am to 10.30am 
• Exton Garden Road bus stop, 11am to midday 
• Stretton bus stop, 1pm to 1.30pm 
• Clipsham bus shelter, 2pm to 2.30pm 

 Thursday, March 13 

• Greetham Community Centre, 10am to midday 
• Market Overton bus shelter (near The Black Bull Pub), 1pm to 2pm 
• Wymondham (Melton Road bus stop), 2.30pm to 3.30pm 

Saturday, March 15 

• Thistleton Church Hall, 10.30am to midday 

Wednesday, March 19 

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• Oakham Library, 1.30 to 4.30pm 

For more information about the rollout of Rutland's new on-demand bus services or the upcoming roadshow events, people can call the Council's Transport Team on: 015772 758 138 or: email: [email protected].