If all goes to plan just pick up the phone or log in to the app on your phone and book a journey on a bus. And – as it’s an ‘On Demand’ service, the bus will come your way to pick you up. Or, if you don’t have a phone with the app, you will be able to call 01225 712900 to book a journey. Check out the Wiltshire Connect website and download the app.
The service starts in this area on Monday – 31 July. Initially for the Pewsey Vale area, an area to the west of Pewsey all the way to Devizes. Next will be the (first) Marlborough area service, covering Marlborough and Great Bedwyn (scheduled to start on 04 September), followed by a Marlborough – Hungerford service later in the Autumn, and a Marlborough-Devizes ‘Semi-Flexible’ service as well.
The ‘On Demand’ services will ‘operate on a pre-bookable, on-demand basis, allowing you to travel between any designated pick up and drop off point within each zone’. The ‘Semi-Flexible’ services will operate to a timetable, which can be accessed from the website.
Will it be simple? Hopefully. Is it easy to understand and use? Hmmmm…., Probably(ish). As with anything like this which is a new concept, unfamiliar to the bus user, there will be a learning curve for all of us, but we hope that it won’t prove too steep.
Below is a table of the new ‘Wiltshire Connect’ services:
| New Service | Start date | Area served | Notes |
| Pewsey Vale Wiltshire Connect On-demand bus | 31/07/23 | Pewsey Vale between Pewsey and Devizes | Download app and for more information go to www.wiltshireconnect.co.uk |
| Wiltshire Connect On-demand bus | 04/09/23 | Service extended to the Marlborough and Great Bedwyn area | Download app and for more information go to www.wiltshireconnect.co.uk |
| Wiltshire Connect On-demand bus | Autumn 2023 | Service extended to the east of Marlborough and Hungerford | Download app and for more information go to www.wiltshireconnect.co.uk |
| Wiltshire Connect 100 Marlborough – Devizes | Autumn 2023 | New timetabled / semi-flexible service operating between Marlborough and Devizes | Operates 4-5 journeys on Monday to Friday |
| Wiltshire Connect 110 Marlborough – Hungerford | Autumn 2023 | New off-peak timetabled service operating between Marlborough and Hungerford via Great Bedwyn | Partially replaces service 20/22/X22 |
These 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.
How much will a trip cost? 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.
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.”
Marlborough.news will welcome feedback regarding how the new system operates – good, not-so-good, problems – or isn’t it wonderful! E-mail us at feedback@marlborough.news, adding the title ‘Bus service feedback’.
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