The Robin bookable bus service - Newent zone
Have you seen the new Robin bus service around in this corner of North-West Gloucestershire?
This service has been running for some time in other areas of Gloucestershire and started here in June 2025. It has already established itself as a popular service in the middle and southern parts of the Forest of Dean District. The Newent area has had to wait a bit longer, but we have had the advantage of the Daffodil Line service, no 232, which connects some our rural villages with the three towns of Ross, Ledbury and Newent.
The Robin service is designed to be responsive to the travel needs of people who live in the more rural areas of the county who would otherwise find it difficult to use public transport. It is designed to connect up to timetabled bus services and to get passengers from one recognised stop to another.
The list of stops is very extensive. It includes all the usual bus stops including those used by Newent Community Transport and school transport services and has added others such as local landmarks. It is bookable by phone, app or online but is not a taxi service to and from your door.
Running from 7am until 7pm Monday to Saturday, it is a service bus not a minibus with steps, and can accommodate one wheelchair. Fares are set in line with standard bus travel and bus passes can be used as well.
The area covered by the Newent service aligns with the Herefordshire/Worcestershire border (but does not cross it unfortunately) and the A417 but also runs south of the A40 as far as Mitcheldean. For more details please visit: https://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/transport/the-robin/
Unfortunately the list of Newent area stops on the website is a little confusing. There are about 12 'School' locations where there are clearly no schools.. These are recognised school transport stops and I have asked the Gloucestershire County Council officer in charge of the Transport Unit for this to be sorted out. The leaflet which advertises the service is also not of the standard I would expect. The map is very hard to read and there is a lot of information missing on the one-sided leaflet. I am waiting for a promised better version.
Despite these minor irritations, the Robin promises to be of great benefit to local residents who need better transport to get to doctor's appointments, go shopping, see friends or just get out for a visit to somewhere different. Some passengers are using it regularly to get to school, college and work.
Newent town has many areas poorly served by public transport such as Culver Street, Foley Rd, Onslow and Meek Roads. The Robin will serve these areas.
Booking is available from one hour to two weeks ahead. There is no guarantee that the perfect slot will be available but give it try! It is funded until next year for sure and after that it will depend on further government funding. A service like this is never going to be commercially viable, but even a subsidised route needs to used by enough passengers for it to continue.
