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New on-demand and semi-flexible bus services to connect rural communities in the Pewsey Vale

Wiltshire Council is launching five new Wiltshire Connect bus services and several revised services in the Pewsey Vale to conveniently connect rural communities at a time that suits passengers.

Published 27 July 2023
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Wiltshire Council is launching five new Wiltshire Connect bus services and several revised services in the Pewsey Vale to conveniently connect rural communities at a time that suits passengers.

The innovative new services, which will launch in phases over the coming months, include both on-demand and semi-flexible buses, which can pick up and drop off passengers where they want to go, when they want to get there.

On-demand services allow passengers to book the bus from a stop of their choosing in the service area to their destination at a time to suit them, either by booking through a smartphone app or by phone. Semi-flexible services are halfway between a standard timetabled bus service and an on-demand bus, in that they follow a timetable, but can take detours and have some flexibility to pick up and drop off people who have booked in advance.

The services are being funded by a £1.2m from the Government's Rural Mobility Fund following a successful bid by the council. All the services are being run by Salisbury Reds but will feature the striking green Wiltshire Connect branding. The smartphone app has been developed by Ioki. The council has also worked in partnership with GWR to highlight the improved connectivity with Wiltshire Connect and the rail network at Bedwyn and Pewsey.

Wiltshire Connect buses will cost £2 for adults for all journeys until 31 October, and then £2-£2.50 for adults from 1 November 2023 to 30 November 2024, depending on the length of the journey. Following that, the standard fares for all journeys will be £2 or £3 for adults. Children and young people aged under 21 pay half fare of £1 or £1.50, depending on the length of the journey. Ten journey tickets are also available for both adults and young people at a reduced rate.

The first Wiltshire Connect service to launch on 31 July will be the on-demand Pewsey Vale bus that covers an area west of Pewsey, from Pewsey to Devizes. This will be complemented by the new 101 semi-flexible service from Pewsey to Devizes, with a more direct route than the previous 101 bus, with any missed villages now covered by the on-demand bus.

Two further on-demand buses will then get under way over the coming months, with a service that covers Marlborough and the Great Bedwyn area launching on 4 September, and a third service that will extend east of Marlborough as far as Hungerford later in the autumn, along with a new direct semi-flexible route between Marlborough and Devizes.

Cllr Richard Clewer, Leader of Wiltshire Council, said: Wiltshire Connect is a revolutionary new bus service that will serve thousands of Wiltshire residents, connecting communities and helping to tackle rural isolation.

These innovative new services combine semi-flexible and on-demand buses to give people a service that takes them where they want to go, at a time that suits them and for a reasonable price. People can either hop on and off a timetabled semi-flexible service, or book in advance using the smartphone app or by calling us - it's very easy to use.

In our Business Plan, we set out our commitments to have vibrant, well-connected communities, and to build an efficient and effective transport network that offers a viable alternative to the car, and Wiltshire Connect does just that for all residents in the Pewsey Vale are and beyond.

We're looking forward to the first new service launching at the end of this month.

Andrew Wickham, Salisbury Reds Managing Director, said: We are delighted to be operating Wiltshire Connect on behalf of Wiltshire Council. It offers vital, convenient, and comfortable transport for those living in the area.

This is an excellent opportunity, not only to make the area more accessible for all, but also to encourage people to leave their cars at home - helping to ease congestion and improve air quality here.

Michael Barillère-Scholz, CEO and co-founder of Ioki, said: We're delighted to be working with Wiltshire Council on this project, which uses our specialist pooling and routing technologies to power the Wiltshire Connect service.

This is the third digital demand responsive transport service in the UK that uses our software to significantly simplify and improve the everyday mobility of people in rural areas across the country.

As one of the leading platform providers for digital demand responsive solutions in Europe, we look forward to both passengers and drivers using our apps to get around in the Pewsey Vale area.

The Wiltshire Connect app is available to download on Apple and Android devices, and anyone without access to a smartphone can call 01225 712900 to book their ride. To find out more about Wiltshire Connect, including route maps, people can go to www.wiltshireconnect.co.uk (opens new window).

New Wiltshire Connect services
New ServiceStart dateArea servedNotes

Pewsey Vale
Wiltshire Connect
On-demand bus

31 July 2023Pewsey Vale between Pewsey and DevizesDownload our app and for information go to www.wiltshireconnect.co.uk (opens new window)
Wiltshire Connect
On-demand bus
4 September 2023Service extended to the Marlborough and Great Bedwyn areaDownload our app and for information go to www.wiltshireconnect.co.uk (opens new window)
Wiltshire Connect
On-demand bus
Autumn 2023Service extended to the east of Marlborough and HungerfordDownload our app and for information go to www.wiltshireconnect.co.uk (opens new window)
Wiltshire Connect 100 Marlborough - DevizesAutumn 2023New timetabled / semi-flexible service operating between Marlborough and DevizesOperates 4-5 journeys on Monday to Friday
Wiltshire Connect 110 Marlborough - HungerfordAutumn 2023New off-peak timetabled service operating between Marlborough and Hungerford via Great BedwynPartially replaces service 20/22/X22
Revised bus services in the area
ServiceChange dateRevisionNotes
101 Pewsey - Devizes31 July 2023New route and timetable. Faster more direct journeysNew Wiltshire Connect on-demand bus service available for villages no longer served by the 101
102 Pewsey - Devizes31 July 2023Service withdrawn101 for journeys between Pewsey and Devizes or the Wiltshire Connect on-demand bus service
103 Wootton Rivers / The Graftons - Burbage - Pewsey31 July 2023Revised temporary Mon-Fri timetable. Saturday service withdrawnnone
210 Figheldean - Devizes31 July 2023Saturday service withdrawnThursday service continues during August. Wiltshire Connect available on Saturdays.
19 Wilton - Marlborough (Weds only)4 September 2023Service withdrawnNew Wiltshire Connect on-demand bus service available for journeys to Marlborough
103 Wootton Rivers / The Graftons - Burbage - Pewsey4 September 2023Service withdrawnNew Wiltshire Connect on-demand bus service available for journeys to Pewsey.
210 Figheldean - Devizes4 September 2023Remaining Thursday service withdrawnNew Wiltshire Connect on-demand bus service available for journeys to Devizes.
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