Usage of Novus-branded bus services at the New Lubbesthorpe sustainable urban development in Leicester doubled between 2021 and the end of 2022 thanks to travel initiatives introduced there, research has shown.
A survey of residents conducted by travel plan coordinator GO Travel Solutions on behalf of landowner the Drummond Trust has additionally found that 24% of residents now use the bus services to commute to and from work, compared to a previous 12%. Over the same period, single-occupancy car journeys for commuting have dropped from 60% to 39%.
“We have seen this reflected in the growing loadings on the Novus bus services, with the vast majority to or from New Lubbesthorpe using NovusDirect,” says GO Travel Solutions Managing Director Robin Pointon. But growth is coming across all Novus services, which additionally include the demand-responsive NovusFlex, and NovusRetail.
All are operated by Vectare with EVM Cityline minibuses. NovusDirect provides a first journey from New Lubbesthorpe to Leicester at 0520hrs and a final return at 2310hrs, seven days a week. Mr Pointon adds that patronage growth on NovusDirect has come from both New Lubbesthorpe and other areas served by the route.
The survey by GO Travel Solutions aims to review the way that residents of the development travel and to measure the impact of other travel initiatives that include a car club, e-bike hire and safe walking and cycling routes.
Adds GO Travel Solutions Project Manager John Keenan: “These findings show a positive change in travel behaviour within the community as residents are choosing alternative and more sustainable ways to travel than by car alone.
“The annual travel survey helps GO Travel Solutions and the Drummond Trust to improve sustainable travel options for residents.”
