Wiltshire Connect Reaches Major Milestone with 250,000 Passenger Journeys Since Launch

More than 250,000 passenger journeys have now been completed on Wiltshire Connect since the on-demand bus service launched in August 2023, marking a significant milestone in its growth across the county.

The service, which was first introduced by Wiltshire Council in the Pewsey Vale area before expanding to other rural areas of the county, has transformed public transport for thousands of residents by providing flexible, affordable and reliable travel when and where people need it.

Wiltshire Connect combines on-demand and semi-flexible transport, allowing passengers to book journeys through the Wiltshire Connect app or by phone at a time to suit them, helping to connect rural communities with employment, education, healthcare, shopping and leisure destinations.

Since launching three years ago, the service has expanded from the original Pewsey Vale area to serve additional towns and villages across Wiltshire, including Warminster and Mere, Royal Wootton Bassett and Malmesbury, bringing accessible transport options to more communities across the county.

To help celebrate the milestone, passengers can obtain two free rides by entering the promo code 250THANKS in the Wiltshire Connect app. The free rides must be taken by 31 October 2026.

David Bullock, Director of Assets, Highways and Transport, said:

“Reaching 250,000 passenger journeys is a fantastic achievement and demonstrates just how valuable Wiltshire Connect has become for people living in our rural communities.

“When we launched the service in 2023, our ambition was to provide a flexible alternative to traditional bus services and help people travel more easily around rural Wiltshire. Since then, residents have embraced the service, using it to get to work, medical appointments, schools, railway stations, shopping destinations and to visit friends and family.

“This milestone reflects the confidence people have in Wiltshire Connect and the difference it is making in reducing isolation, improving accessibility and helping people stay connected. It also supports our wider ambitions set out in Our Wiltshire Plan, helping to create stronger, more connected communities while improving access to jobs, education, healthcare and other essential services.”

“I’d like to thank everyone who has supported and used the service over the past three years and encourage anyone who hasn’t yet tried Wiltshire Connect to download the app or give us a call and see how easy it is to travel.”

Samuel Griffiths, UK Manager at Via Technologies, added:

“Via is proud to support the Wiltshire Connect service. Completing over 250,000 trips is a fantastic achievement and demonstrates the considerable impact the service has made in improving rural connectivity for Wiltshire residents to access education, healthcare and jobs.”

Passengers can book journeys using the Wiltshire Connect app, available on Apple and Android devices, or by calling 01225 712900. The service enables travel between designated pick-up and drop-off points within each travel zone and uses smart technology to match passengers travelling in similar directions.

The service operates 6am to 8pm Monday to Friday and 8am to 7.30pm Saturdays. Bus pass holders can travel after 9am on weekdays and all day Saturday.

For more information about Wiltshire Connect, including service areas and route maps, visit www.wiltshireconnect.co.uk.