Service Q & K – Flexible DRT service
What is demand-responsive transport (DRT) service Q & K?
Updated on: 27/04/2023
Our demand-responsive public transport service in Northamptonshire covers can connect communities with a number of towns in Northants and Rugby in Warwickshire.
Designed primarily for rural communities, our bus does not have a fixed route or timetable – the most optimal route and timetable is generated in accordance with passenger bookings. By making advance reservation you’re guaranteed a seat before making your way to the bus stop.
1. Who can use the service?
Anyone of any age can use our service by pre-booking.
To use the service, please register by filling in a short registration form.
2. Which communities are you covering? Where can I go?
Our DRT operates in the shaded area in the map above, where holders of concessionary bus passes are eligible for free off-peak travel. Meanwhile, regular services are run in the following zones:
Brixworth Zone (Shopper Hopper service):
Brixworth, Cold Ashby, Cottesbrooke, Creaton, Haselbech, Naseby, Spratton & Thornby
Haddon Zone (Haddon Hopper service):
Coton, East Haddon, Guilsborough, Holdenby, Ravensthorpe, Teeton, Watford & West Haddon
Mawsley Zone:
Broughton, Harrowden, Great Cransley, Little Cransley, Loddington, Mawsley, Old, Orlingbury, Orton, Pytchley, Thorpe Malsor & Walgrave.
(Some villages in this zone are also served by the ‘Kettering Catcher’ shopper bus services)
Overstone Zone:
Hannington, Holcot, Hardwick, Lamport, Moulton, Overstone, Overstone Gate, Pitsford, Scaldwell & Sywell.
(Some villages in this zone are also served by the ‘Kettering Catcher’ shopper bus services)
Other communities within North Northamptonshire Council Area
Have you tried our pre-booked minibus service? Book a trial journey with your neighbours or groups of friends now!
Note: To better utilise resources, we prioritise bookings with more than 8 passengers travelling together.
3. When can I use the service?
The service is available for booking from 0700 – 2200 daily, subject to vehicle and driver availability. To increase the social benefit of the service, we prioritise bookings with more users travelling together.
After pre-booking, users will be advised whether we are able to operate the requested trip. If booking is accepted, they will also be notified of the exact timetable on the day before travel.
Please note that the time window for the scheduled time is 20 minutes (which means the bus could be 10 minutes late). We recommend users to arrive at the bus stop at least 5 minutes before the scheduled time.
Note: Passenger CANNOT make more than one journey between the same origin and destination in the same direction on any one day.
4. Trips to join
Our users have grouped themselves and have created regular grouped trips (See Trips section). Join them now!
5. How do I book a seat?
Simply call, text or Whatsapp us at 07888 011 891 or email bookings@cmbus.org.
6. Why do you require pre-booking?
- Pre-booking is the requirement under a flexible bus service registration.
- By having this arrangement, we’re able to operate flexibly – we can operate any route within the permitted territory and are therefore able to respond quickly to passenger demand.
- The bus can take the shortest route to the destination, which saves everyone’s time, fuel and it helps reduce pollution!
7. I’m not covered by the service. What should I do?
We’re always looking forward to serving more communities and users!
We’ve written to some Parish Councils inviting them for collaboration. If you think this is an good idea and you want to have it, speak to us or tell your neighbours, or even Councillors! When we have enough users we can operate a service for your community.