Wiltshire Council to expand successful Wiltshire Connect bus service into Royal Wootton Bassett and Malmesbury areas later this month

Wiltshire Council is expanding its successful Wiltshire Connect bus service into the Royal Wootton Bassett and Malmesbury areas to help improve connections to rural communities at a time that suits passengers.

Wiltshire Connect, the on-demand bus service that launched in the Pewsey Vale area in August 2023, has been a resounding success. Since its launch, the service has carried just over 100,000 passengers.  The service offers users the flexibility to book buses through an app at a time to suit them for personalised travel.

The expansion comes after the introduction of the new Wiltshire Connect app, which allows passengers to easily book and manage their journeys directly through the app. Users can also book travel over the phone.

Parvis Khansari, Corporate Director for Place, said: We are pleased to be able to expand the Wiltshire Connect service to more communities, building on the success we've seen in the Pewsey Vale.

This service is helping to improve transport options, connecting residents and making it easier for people to travel in rural areas.

Wiltshire Connect provides a flexible and affordable travel solution, allowing people to get to where they need to go at a time that suits them.

The newly expanded service will serve the rural area around Royal Wootton Bassett and Malmesbury including Bradenstoke, Broad Town, Cricklade, Great Somerford, Sutton Benger, Minety, Ashton Keynes, Purton and Hook. The service will also provide new public transport links to the Orbital Shopping Park in Swindon and the Great Western Hospital.

Wiltshire Connect is offering free introductory travel from Wednesday 23 April to Saturday 3 May. After this period, adult fares will be £2 or £3, depending on the length of the journey. Young people aged 18 and under pay half fare, with tickets priced at £1 or £1.50, depending on the journey length. Ten-journey tickets are also available for both adults and young people at a reduced rate.

The Wiltshire Connect app can be used for booking travel in expanded areas from Tuesday 22 April. 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.