Nottinghamshire County Council celebrates a successful year for bus travel
Figures show that in the first six months of 2024, the number of residents travelling by bus in Nottinghamshire grew by almost 11%.
Whether it’s offering passengers ticket discount schemes, expanding the number of on-demand bus zones in the county or winning a national award for supporting a student travel scheme, the county council has played a large part in Nottinghamshire’s growth in bus passenger numbers.
The figures are in comparison to the same six months as in 2023, which has led to an increase to 99% of buses running up from 95% in January 2023.
Other highlights across the year include installing more than 270 new real-time bus displays, completing the rollout of centralised traffic light priority for buses to 190 junctions in the county and seeing bus passenger satisfaction across Nottinghamshire increase to 90%.
By March 2025 the county council will have invested an additional £3.8 million in Nottinghamshire’s bus network, enhancing, extending or introducing 32 new bus services.
Some of these improvements include better connections between Newark and Fernwood with hourly connections to Newark Northgate station, more early morning and evening journeys between Bingham and Nottingham City Centre and more evening journeys on the Stagecoach-run Pronto service between Mansfield and Nottingham.
The county council’s Nottsbus On Demand service has also expanded this year with a new South Newark Zone launching in the villages between Bingham and Newark in April and the new Central Rushcliffe Zone launching in July.
In 2025, bus passengers in Nottinghamshire can look forward to an improved evening service between Calverton and Nottingham and frequency and reliability improvements to Keyworth services.
Councillor Neil Clarke MBE, cabinet member for Transport and Environment at Nottinghamshire County Council, said: “I am delighted to hear that bus passenger numbers in Nottinghamshire have increased.
“During the covid-19 pandemic, passenger numbers declined and we know from our close working with local bus operators that increasing these numbers has been a challenge.
“Initiatives such as the Government’s £2 bus fare cap have of course helped with this increase but we are proud to have offered ticketing initiatives of our own this year to boost passenger numbers such as two successful group ticket discount schemes, the Under 22 scheme, the Newark All Rounder multi-operator ticket and a free weekend travel offer on the Sherwood Arrow throughout August.
“This success is great news but we know there is more to do. In 2025 we are set to continue with our work to make sure that communities across the county have access to a reliable and frequent bus service.
“I look forward to seeing how our continued close work with local bus operators can increase passenger numbers further as we look into 2025 and I would like to encourage everyone to get on board their local bus this festive season to enjoy all that Nottinghamshire has to offer.”
