Newsroom

How we can build on our UK-leading bus services

In Nottinghamshire we have a great reputation for public transport. Our county has a 93% passenger satisfaction rating, the second highest in the UK, with 83% of our residents within 800 metres, or 10 minutes’ walk, of an hourly bus service.

 

For many older residents, having a local bus service is essential to help them get out and about. The County Council provides about 1.8 million journeys on council bus services each year and spends more than average - approximately £3.9 million - supporting local bus services.

For every £1 spent on our bus services, £2.50 is generated for the economy, helping our residents get to work, school and college.

We also invest in green buses and infrastructure. By using the latest technology, we can make our buses even greener and help cut down on carbon emissions.

But we’re not resting on our laurels. We’re always looking at ways in which we can improve bus services to better meet the needs of our local communities.

One way we’re doing this is through two pilot schemes, which will inform a full review of bus services all over the county.

The first of these pilot schemes, starting in late spring this year, will introduce a flexible ‘taxi-bus’ service, to serve the villages of Colston Bassett, Owthorpe and Upper Saxondale. This service will replace the 850/852 and provide these villages with an on-demand service to destinations as when needed.

The second pilot scheme, which started in December 2019, provides evening services to Mansfield town centre from Ladybrook and Oak Tree, to support the Mansfield town centre evening and night time economy. This scheme will continue until June this year, when it will be reviewed, depending on use.

As well as the pilot schemes, we’re planning to review bus services in the Ollerton area,

including routes to and from Retford and Newark. We’ll work with local operators to look at how smaller services could link up with the existing commercial network.

The UK government has provided new funds to support public transport, to better meet the needs of our communities. We intend to bid for this funding, and, if successful, we can use it to support further investment.

We will continue to do all we can to provide everyone with the transport they need, while offering the best possible value for money.

Councillor John Cottee, Chairman of Nottinghamshire County Council's Communities and Place Committee,