Over £1.8m investment in rural bus services: keeping communities connected

Connect2 is the new improved on-demand bus service launching on Monday 27 April for North Lincolnshire.

Following the end of the old JustGo contract, the opportunity was opened up to improve the service which offers greater availability, brand new buses and a local North Lincolnshire Council call centre.

Thousands of existing on-demand users, including those eligible for free travel, will benefit from the improved service with the Connect2 booking app which will also allow for group party bookings to pay on the bus. The app will be available to download from 24 April on Google Play Store and Apple App Store on both smartphones and tablets.

The app allows users to select convenient pick-up points from a network of local meeting locations. Intelligent routing technology will then create the most efficient journeys, grouping nearby passengers and transporting them to their destinations.

Not everyone will be confident in using the app, therefore help will be provided at community hubs across the county or simply by calling the dedicated council in-house call centre on 01724 297777. The Connect2 call centre team will be available from Friday 24 April to take bookings between 8.30am and 4.30pm. From Monday 27 April, normal service hours will resume, operating Monday to Saturday from 8am to 5pm.

Local drop-in sessions are taking place across North Lincolnshire to provide information on the service and answer any questions. They are on:

• Wednesday 22 April, 9am to 10.30am – Crowle Community Hub
• Wednesday 22 April, 9.30am to 11am – Winterton Community Hub
• Wednesday 22 April, 11.15am to 12.45pm – Livewell Isle of Axholme, Epworth
• Thursday 23 April, 9am to 10.30am – Brigg Community Hub, The Angel
• Thursday 23 April, 11.15am to 12.45pm – Baysgarth Community Hub, Barton
• Thursday 23 April, 2.30pm to 4pm – Scunthorpe Central Hub

Alongside these sessions, a step-by-step ‘how to’ video guide will be available.

Passengers will be able to pay digitally using debit or credit cards, and journeys can be booked up to seven days in advance, as well as on the day of travel.

Connect2 will also offer improved value for money. As part of the national fare cap initiative, fares will start from just £2.50 for adult single journeys, with a maximum cap of £3 per trip. Reduced fares will also be available for passengers under the age of 19. The fare cap is currently confirmed until at least the end of March 2027.

The service will operate Monday to Friday from 7am to 7pm, and on Saturdays from 8am to 6pm.

Cllr Rob Waltham, leader of North Lincolnshire Council, is delighted to see an improved service launching for residents, he said:

“The new on-demand service builds on an already well-used service, with improvements to make it easier and more flexible to use. The call centre has been brought in-house, so if you need to speak to someone, a friendly council call handler will be on the other end of the phone to help. Whether you book through the app or contact the team, residents will be supported.

“By keeping fares low and investing in smarter, more responsive transport, we’re supporting our communities to stay connected and thrive, ensuring that more people can access the things that matter to them – helping to keep them safe and well.”

Cllr Julie Reed, cabinet member for independent families – children (with responsibility for public transport), said:

“We are committed to putting communities first and providing them with the best possible public transport options. We understand the challenges our residents have, particularly in the rural areas, with limited service on the commercial networks due to the lower numbers of people travelling. This new service offers reliable and affordable transport playing a vital role in helping people stay connected – to work, education, healthcare and family and friends.”