Free bus journeys are coming to Leicestershire next month. People will be able to travel to key visitor attractions around the county without spending a penny on set days through August, Leicestershire County Council has said.
This includes trips to Leicester, Loughborough, Bradgate Park, Twycross Zoo, Fosse Park and the 1620s House and Gardens at Donington le Heath. The free tickets are open to everyone, with no age restrictions, the county authority added.
They will be valid every Saturday throughout August on services financially supported by the council, including its on-demand buses. A full list of the routes included can be found below.
Each of the services has been launched by the county council this year as part of its bus network review. The authority said it hoped the free tickets would “encourage residents to start using the new and redesigned bus services this summer and beyond”. The scheme is being funded through Government Bus Service Improvement Plan cash.
Councillor Charles Whitford, lead member for highways and transport, said: “Whether you’re using bus services to commute, attend an appointment, socialise or enjoy a fun day out, leaving the car at home is one of the easiest ways to say goodbye to traffic and parking stress. There is also the added benefit of cutting pollution and helping improve air quality in Leicestershire.
“This is a brilliant opportunity to travel completely for free in August and try out new and improved bus services in your area.”
The full list of participating services:
- Service LC1 – Centrebus – Melton Mowbray – Oakham
- Service LC2 – Central Connect – Melton Mowbray – Bottesford
- Service LC3 – Centrebus – Melton Mowbray – Grantham
- Service LC4 – Centrebus – Fleckney – Market Harborough
- Service LC5 – Centrebus – Loughborough – Sileby
- Service LC6 – Centrebus – Coalville – Hinckley (free travel on Saturday, August 30 only)
- Service LC7 – Centrebus – Leicester – Uppingham
- Service LC8 – Centrebus – Melton Mowbray – Loughborough
- Service LC10 – Centrebus – Market Harborough – Lutterworth
- Service LC11 – Blands – Market Harborough – Corby
- Service LC14 – Arriva – Fosse Park – Hinckley
- Service LC15 – Arriva – Coalville – Leicester
- Service LC16 – Arriva – Loughborough – Shepshed – Ashby
- Service MC1 – Centrebus – Melton Mowbray Town Service via Clarke Drive and serving John Ferneley Academy
- Service MC2 – Centrebus – Melton Mowbray Town Service via Queensway and serving Longfield Academy
- Service MC3 – Centrebus – Melton Mowbray Town Service via Dieppe Way and serving Melton College
- Service MC4 – Centrebus – Melton Mowbray Town Service via Baldocks Lane serving Birchwood School, Melton Council Offices and Train Station
- Service MC5 – Centrebus – Melton Mowbray Town Service via Thorpe Road serving Melton Hospital and Snow Hill Industrial Estate
- Service HC1 – Centrebus – Market Harborough – Little Bowden
- Service HC2 – Centrebus – Market Harborough – Great Bowden
- Service HC3 – Centrebus – Market Harborough – Wellington Place
- Service HC4 – Centrebus – Market Harborough – Southern Estate
- FoxConnect – Market Harborough
- FoxConnect – Melton Mowbray
- FoxConnect – South West Leicestershire
- FoxConnect – Hinckley, Bosworth and North West Leicestershire
More information on the services can be found on the council’s Choose How You Move Website.
