An on-demand bus service operating like a 'public transport Uber' is celebrating its successful first year in Wiltshire by offering free rides.

The Wiltshire Connect bus service was first launched in the Pewsey Vale area on July 31, 2023, to offer a flexible bus service that only takes passengers where they need to go, without the carbon emissions or prices of an Uber or taxi.

The service works using an app where passengers can indicate which of the many designated stops they are at and where they need to go, and has proved particularly useful for Wiltshire residents in isolated locations.

Despite initial scepticism from locals, the service has now been used more than 55,000 times in the last year, which Wiltshire Council is celebrating as a huge success.

In celebration of the service's first birthday, Wiltshire Council is offering residents the opportunity to claim two free rides before August 31.

The on-demand buses operate around Wiltshire and work using an app similar to Uber.The on-demand buses operate around Wiltshire and work using an app similar to Uber. (Image: Wiltshire Council)

“When we launched the service last year we said that it would ‘revolutionise bus travel in the Pewsey Vale area’ and it really has made a significant difference," said Cllr Tamara Reay, cabinet member for transport.

"The on-demand bus successfully links our rural communities and reduces social isolation by giving people the opportunity to travel at a time that suits them.

“Wiltshire Connect is just one of the things we’ve implemented as part of our Business Plan priorities to ensure that our residents can live in well-connected communities and improved rural bus links are a part of this.

“We have exciting plans to expand this hugely successful service into other rural areas in the county and we’ll have more news on this in the coming months.”

The green buses started in the Pewsey Vale area, but have since expanded their routes around Wiltshire.The green buses started in the Pewsey Vale area, but have since expanded their routes around Wiltshire. (Image: Wiltshire Council)

Of the 4,500 people who have used the service so far, racking up 55,000 journeys, 87 per cent of passengers rated their journeys as five stars.

To take advantage of the offer for two free rides on a Wiltshire Connect bus, type into the Wiltshire Connect app CONNECTB1.

Wiltshire Council hopes this will encourage even more users to try out the service for the first time.