Nottinghamshire: On-demand bus service gets launch date

The buses can be requested to call at a bus stop at an agreed time

An on-demand bus service will soon replace three scheduled routes in part of Nottinghamshire.

The Nottsbus will operate in the Newark area, including the villages of Car Colston, Flintham and Elston, from 8 April.

Residents will be able to request a bus to call at a particular stop between 09:30 and 14:30, Monday to Saturday.

The new service, which officials say is more efficient, will replace the 91, 856 and 857 bus routes.

Nottinghamshire County Council said the service would not have a fixed route or follow a timetable but could be booked to pick up passengers as soon as practically possible.

It follows trials in Ollerton, Mansfield and Rushcliffe.

Councillor Neil Clarke, cabinet member for transport and environment, said the new zone would offer connections into towns such as Newark, Bingham and Bottesford.

He said: "It's still a bus service - not a door-to-door taxi service - but it is far more efficient, environmentally friendly and responsive to public need.

"We hope that this new service will offer residents a reliable, affordable and greener way to travel. By giving passengers the choice as to when they want to travel, we are also able to offer them greater flexibility with their travel plans."