Nottingham City Transport’s (NCT) network-wide changes started today, Sunday 21st June 2026.
After every service was reviewed by NCT and independently, the network changes are designed to balance the cost of providing the bus network against the number of people travelling.
The number of people travelling by bus has never fully recovered since the pandemic, with 1 in 10 fewer customers each year. This follows an increase in home working, hybrid working and online shopping, which means people need to travel less.
In addition, Nottingham has experienced a number of major roadwork schemes in recent years, which have seen customer numbers decline on affected routes. The 50% increase in the Bus Fare Cap at the start of 2025 has contributed to decline in bus usage around the country, with NCT passenger numbers in the last year falling by 3.77%.
NCT is paying more now for most items than it did a year ago, with recent spikes in fuel and energy prices caused by global events adding to cost pressures. Whilst NCT is largely protected from this spike (for now) because of fixed price deals it negotiated beforehand, the cost of insurance, business taxation, bus parts and staff wages have increased.
David Conway, NCT Head of Operations said,
“Today sees the introduction of network-wide changes, which are based on in-depth analysis of passenger travel patterns across all times of day on all days of the week. Regrettably, some lightly used services and stops have been withdrawn because the low number of people using them mean they are unviable to continue. Whilst there are reductions in some areas, we have been able to improve frequencies and connections in other areas where buses remain popular and are being well used.”
For most customers on core routes, the level of service during core daytime periods will largely be the same as now – although some times may have changed.
On several routes, there have been frequency reductions on Saturday mornings before about 9am and in the evenings on all days, to better reflect the number of people travelling at these times. By reducing frequencies at quieter times of day, NCT can reduce costs and keep the busier daytime service running.
Navy 3, 3A; Green 11; Lilac 24; Blue 40; Turquoise 79A and Purple 88 have seen parts of their routes replaced by changes to other services.
Whilst NCT has had to make changes, there are areas and services where the network review addresses customer requests for improvements, including:
- Doubling the full daytime frequency of buses between Clifton and Ruddington from hourly to half hourly
- Providing a much-requested direct link between Ruddington and West Bridgford Centre
- Returning Green 11 to be a Meadows and Lady Bay service to improve reliability, moving the extension to Cropwell Bishop to a new route
- Reinstating the link between Cotgrave and The Cropwells directly to West Bridgford Central Avenue
- Improved Sunday frequencies to Bulwell via Hucknall Road on Brown 17
- Improved Sunday frequencies along Carlton Road and Carlton Hill on Lilac 25, 27
- Additional buses serving Winwood Heights and Winchester Street on Blue 40
- New links between Carlton, Gedling and Colwick Industrial Estate and Daleside Road Retail Parks on Red 45
- Simplification of the Bulwell and Snape Wood service, with common numbers used along Hempshill Vale or Hoewood Road
- Improving the frequency of the 79 to every 15 minutes during the Monday to Saturday daytime between City, Bulwell and Rise Park
- Simplification of Top Valley services, with a more frequent service to and from Rise Park
Today also sees some day tickets increase for the first time in 15 months. City Zone day tickets will increase by 20p for Adults and Under 19s to £5.70 and £3.70 respectively. A Grouprider will be £10 and a Network Grouprider will be £15. The all day ticket for Dogs will increase to £1.50.
Full details and timetables are available at www.nctx.co.uk/june26change and in the NCTX Buses app. Printed timetable leaflets are also available from the NCT Travel Centre and outlets across the network. Customers who need help planning their journeys can contact the NCT Travel Centre on 0115 950 60 70 or by email travelcentre@nctx.co.uk
Posted on 24 June 2026
