New Nottsbus On Demand service launched in Central Rushcliffe zone

A new area of on-demand bus services is set to connect residents to a vineyard, a chocolaterie and a dairy.

The Nottsbus On Demand service has now been launched in Central Rushcliffe — the seventh zone to be launched by Nottinghamshire County Council — joining others in North and South Ollerton, South Newark and West Rushcliffe.

It will serve residents in villages including Colston Bassett, Hickling, Hickling Pastures, Kinoulton, Upper Broughton, Willoughby-on-the-Wolds, Costock, Bunny, Bradmore, Ruddington, Keyworth and Tollerton and connect them in to selected points in East Leake, Keyworth and Cotgrave as well as Gamston Morrisons to connect to other bus services.

With a variety of businesses in the area, passengers can board the bus for a tasty journey from Sarsfield Chocolaterie, the Hanwell Wine Estate and Colston Bassett Dairy among others.

Also in the zone are Rushcliffe Country Park, Nottingham City Airport and Café and the Spire Nottingham Hospital.

Journeys can be booked through the Nottsbus app, or by calling 0115 804 0404.

Neil Clarke MBE, cabinet member for transport and environment at Nottinghamshire County Council, visited both the chocolaterie and wine estate with the bus to mark the launch of the new zone, and said: “This will be our second Nottbus On Demand zone in Rushcliffe following the launch of the West Rushcliffe zone in May 2023.

“This new service in Central Rushcliffe is great news for residents who will be able to tear up the timetable and travel around the zone between any bus stop and time within the operating hours.

“This is another example of how we’re working towards making bus travel better for communities across Nottinghamshire and in Central Rushcliffe, being able to travel more flexibly may encourage those who had never used previous bus services in the areas to get on board. This new service will of course be a vital lifeline to those in the communities it serves when it comes to accessing medical appointments for example.

“Being able to connect into other scheduled bus services in Cotgrave, Ruddington, Keyworth and at Gamston Morrisons is also really important to make sure that passengers can travel further afield than within the zone and this is why we have also added a connection into East Leake where passengers can pick up the West Rushcliffe Nottbus On Demand service to travel onto locations including East Midlands Parkway Train Station.

“I am really looking forward to seeing the success of this zone and would encourage everyone in the zone area to download the app and see where it could take them.

“It is of course a real positive that this new service will connect everyone in the zone to local businesses including the chocolaterie and the wine estate where they can sample Nottinghamshire’s finest local produce and if you haven’t visited either already, how about using your first free journey on Nottsbus On Demand to visit somewhere new.”

Helenka Brown, owner at Hanwell Wine Estate, said: "The introduction of the Nottsbus On Demand service is a vital addition for rural tourism in Nottinghamshire. Our visitors can now savour our wines without the concern of exceeding drink-drive limits. As a sustainable business, we are thrilled that our guests can also choose an eco-friendly mode of transport. The convenience of scheduling a bus to coincide with the end of a vineyard tour and wine tasting session is poised to revolutionize the visitor experience."

Jerome Smith from Sarsfield’s Chocolaterie and Tearooms, added: “We feel that the new on demand bus service will be a real asset for the local community and businesses.

“It is great that there is now the opportunity for more isolated members of the rural community to visit Sarsfield’s and meet friends or just pop in for a coffee, gift, chat and some chocolate.

“Whilst at Grove Farm visiting Sarsfield’s Chocolaterie, there is also The Stackyard Farm Shop and Gardens by Joseph Plant Nursery to visit. It will be a welcomed service that we hope will benefit everyone in this area, both individuals and businesses alike.”