Residents of New Lubbesthorpe, a sustainable urban extension in south Leicester, have been getting on board with NovusDirect, their fast bus service into Leicester City Centre, so much so that operator Vectare is launching a new timetable, with extra buses, on 8th January 2024.
NovusDirect is funded by the Drummond Trust, and since it was introduced in July 2022 passenger numbers have increased consistently as residents and visitors choose to travel more sustainably. The service is now used more than twelve thousand times every month, and recent survey work conducted by GO Travel Solutions revealed that the majority of residents would rate the service as “Good” or “Excellent”.
In response to this strong support from the local community, bus operator Vectare is boosting the route, which also serves Thorpe Astley, to run every 20 minutes on weekdays from 8th January 2024. Single fares remain capped at £2 until the end of 2024. Peter Nathanail, Commercial and Operations Director at Vectare, is delighted with the progress that NovusDirect has made since launch, saying “We’re proud to provide a high quality bus service for residents of New Lubbesthorpe and Thorpe Astley, in partnership with the Drummond Trust and GO Travel Solutions. By travelling on NovusDirect, local residents have proved that they want a sustainable transport option to and from Leicester, and it is thanks to those who travel on the bus that we’re able to increase the frequency and offer more departures on this popular route”.
Vectare also operate the NovusFosse bus service, linking New Lubbesthorpe and Thorpe Astley with Fosse Park and the Meridian Business Park. Local residents can enjoy bargain fares for Christmas shopping on this route – between 23rd December and 7th January, any return fare from New Lubbesthorpe is just £1, a massive 75% discount from the usual fare of £4. Up to four children travelling with an adult will also go free of charge during the same time period.
Timetable information can be found online at vectare.co.uk/novusleicester.
