News
11th Sep 2009
Lincolnshire’s successful, on-demand bus service is to continue its incredible growth by motoring on over the border. CallConnect will launch its 25th Lincolnshire route in Stamford this month, also serving passengers in North East Northamptonshire. Lincolnshire County Council has teamed up with Northamptonshire County Council in a unique partnership to jointly fund the new public transport service from Monday 21 September. Booking requests can be taken from Monday 14 September for journey requests week commencing 21 September. CallConnect is a unique, demand-responsive network of bus routes that has already changed the lives of thousands of residents throughout Lincolnshire. The service allows residents to book their bus journeys in advance and travel to and from local pick-up points. Passengers eligible for a bus pass can also use the service for free, subject to local terms and conditions. Councillor William Webb, Lincolnshire County Council’s Executive Member for Highways and Transport, said: “We know how much people in the south-west of the county need this service - because they have told us so - and we are delighted to be able to respond so positively. We are really looking forward to this launch and to seeing the effect we know CallConnect will have on these communities and their residents.” The new Stamford & North Northamptonshire CallConnect service will be operated by a fully accessible minibus, serving rural communities in South West Lincolnshire and North Northamptonshire, as well as providing town journeys within Stamford itself. Cllr Heather Smith, Northamptonshire County Council cabinet member for environment, growth and transport, said: “We are very pleased to be launching this service which represents a unique collaboration between NCC and LCC councils. The success and rapid development of CallConnect so far made it the obvious choice for us to provide regular public transport for members of our communities that need to get into Stamford, whether for business or pleasure.” Access to services is especially important for people living in rural or isolated areas, a fact recognised during a recent tour of the county by Dr Stuart Burgess, the Government’s Rural Advocate and Chair of the Commission for Rural Communities (CRC). After travelling on a CallConnect bus himself, he said: “CallConnect is exactly the kind of innovative solution we would like to see rolling out across the country to tackle issues of isolation in remote locations. It provides a thought-provoking insight into the possibilities for the future of rural transport. “Public transport could be the lifeline for remote communities as competition for jobsincreases and as more and more people have to travel to receive advice and benefits.” Jayne Thomas, Local Field Coordinator for First Contact, a signposting service for the over-60's across Lincolnshire, added: “This is very good news. CallConnect in Stamford and the surrounding areas will provide a genuine lifeline to many people needing to access the town and the facilities available there. And this new service will be welcomed and well received.” For more information about CallConnect and to book a journey, simply call 0845 234 3344 or visit www.lincsinterconnect.com. - ENDS -
