In the first week of September 2023, passengers made just shy of 3,000 trips on the NovusDirect and NovusFosse bus services. In week commencing 20th November, the combined service carried over 3,600 passengers, with more than 1,050 of these being to or from the New Lubbesthorpe development.
The service is funded by New Lubbesthorpe developer, the Drummond Trust, and managed by local sustainable transport consultancy GO Travel Solutions, and operated by Vectare an East Midlands based SME provider of passenger transport solutions
Peter Nathanail, Commercial & Operations Director at Vectare, expressed the company’s gratitude to both loyal and new customers, stating, “We are thrilled to see such overwhelming support for our Novus bus services. This record-breaking week is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our entire team, and it is great to see that the service is so popular, with patronage increasing week on week. We are committed to providing safe, efficient, and sustainable transport options for our communities, and we look forward to continuing to provide a dedicated service to our passengers.”
The Novus bus services form part of the promotion of sustainable travel to residents of New Lubbesthorpe coordinated by GO Travel Solutions. There is also e-bike hire, a car club, extensive travel information and travel discounts through LocalGO, to help residents use public transport, cycle and walk.
This has been funded by the Drummond Trust since 2018 as its commitment to sustainable travel as part of their planning commitment. Robin Pointon, Managing Director of GO Travel Solutions said “The record number of residents using the Novus bus services is testimony to the quality of the service being delivered, our approach to community engagement and strength of the local partnership.
Martin Ward, on behalf of the Drummond Trust, added: “As the New Lubbesthorpe community continues to grow its fantastic to see residents choosing sustainable travel options.”
New Lubbesthorpe is a pioneering new community set in 325 acres of new parklands and wetlands, south of Leicester Forest East. Around 970 of the 4,250 homes have so far been built and occupied. The first primary school is open and work is due to commence shortly on the delivery of the local centre, including a doctors surgery, pharmacy, local supermarket and other community facilities.
