DRT explained: A new way to get around
In addition to supporting the development of a new transport hub in Oakham, known as Local Link, the RIIA programme has funded the introduction of a new on-demand bus service in the region. Operating between Oakham, Melton Mowbray and the surrounding areas, this aims to increase accessibility throughout the county.
What is DRT?
Demand Responsive Transport (DRT) is Rutland’s new on-demand bus service. It uses smaller vehicles, like minibuses, to offer flexible public transport in some areas, rather than a traditional bus service. It utilises existing bus stops as pick-up and drop-off points, with passengers able to book journeys on a smartphone app or over the phone with as little as one hour’s notice.
The new service is replacing some existing bus services in Rutland and will be complementary to others – operating in several zones that help to connect villages with main bus routes in the county, which then provide onward travel to larger destinations.
How does it work?
Passengers can travel on a fleet of minibuses, including electric vehicles, purchased with part of Rutland’s allocation of UK Government Funding (formerly known as Levelling Up Funding). The use of these smaller vehicles, operating flexible routes in tandem with more traditional fixed-route bus services, has increased access to public transport in areas of Rutland that have not previously been visited by a bus.
Unlike traditional bus services, the on-demand service is delivered by Callconnect and works on a ‘book a bus’ basis. Passengers can access this by booking via the Callconnect app or over the phone.
This is being rolled out in zones, with the first phase of the network (zone 1) successfully launched on 31 March 2025. In the first month alone, Callconnect reported that the new service was used by 1,000 passengers.
Zones 2 and 3 will launch later in the year, covering the whole of Rutland.
To support this transition to a new era of transport in the county, there is a new Rutland Buses website that provides easy access to journey information and travel planning for passengers, whether they’re looking to use on-demand services, fixed route buses or both: Rutland buses | Rutland County Council
