‘itravel’ on demand bus service set to continue and expand across rural west Cheshire
Cheshire West and Chester Council has confirmed that its popular on‑demand bus service, itravel, will continue beyond July 2026, with plans to expand the areas it serves across rural communities in the borough.
The itravel service was launched in July 2023 following a successful bid by the Council for £1.075 million from the Department for Transport’s Rural Mobility Fund.
The funding enabled a three‑year trial of a demand‑responsive transport service in Frodsham, Helsby and surrounding rural areas, where access to traditional bus services is extremely limited.
Unlike fixed‑route bus services, itravel is a pre‑bookable, flexible bus service that adapts to passenger journey requests within a defined operating area. It provides vital links to key destinations such as town centres, schools, medical and community facilities, leisure centres, railway stations, and local businesses.
The service is currently operated by Stagecoach, with Padam providing the booking and back‑office system on behalf of the Council, and has played an important role in improving access to public transport for rural residents. It supports a wide range of journeys including commuting, shopping, attending medical appointments, accessing education and leisure facilities, and visiting family and friends.
As with many demand‑responsive transport services across the country, itravel is not commercially self‑sustaining and requires ongoing public investment to continue operating.
The Council’s Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) sets out a long‑term vision to expand demand‑responsive transport across rural parts of the borough and provide greater network stability, including improved links across boundaries where appropriate.
Dedicated Government funding, including the new Mayoral Transport Fund for Cheshire and Warrington, will enable Cheshire West and Chester Council to maintain and expand the itravel service.
The wider transport investment plan, including the continuation of itravel, has been approved by both Cheshire West and Chester Council’s Cabinet and the Cheshire and Warrington Combined Authority.
Following these approvals, the Council has completed a tender process to continue the itravel service for a further two years from 31 July 2026. A new operator, Diamond Bus (part of the Rotala Group), has been appointed to deliver the service.
Initially supported through remaining Rural Mobility Fund grant and BSIP funding, the service will then transition to funding from the Bus Services Fund.
From July 2026, itravel will continue to operate in its existing service area, with three vehicles available. This increased capacity means the service can reach additional rural communities beyond its original boundaries.
Areas that could benefit from the expanded service include villages such as Barrow, Dunham‑on‑the‑Hill, Mickle Trafford, Picton, Stoak, Acton Bridge, Marton, Whitegate, Foxtwist Green, Kelsall, Willington, Mere Bank and Little Leigh, with further expansion to the east and west considered where operationally viable.
The service will operate Monday to Friday, with the potential for a future Saturday service reviewed depending on funding and income generation.
Councillor Karen Shore, Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Transport and Highways (including Waste) said:
itravel has shown just how important flexible, on demand transport can be for our rural communities. For many residents, it has provided a vital lifeline – helping people get to work, education, medical appointments and social activities where traditional bus services simply aren’t available. We’re pleased to have secured the funding and approvals needed to continue the service beyond July 2026 and to begin expanding it into more rural villages across west Cheshire. This investment will help reduce isolation, improve connectivity and support our longer term ambition to create a more reliable, accessible and sustainable transport network for everyone.
The new contract will begin on 31 July 2026. Existing itravel customers will not need to re‑register, although the service’s call centre telephone number will change.
To book the itravel service today: download the itravel app or online: or Tel: 0330 6781545