Ten new bus routes will serve Cirencester College from September after a new deal with Stagecoach was agreed.

The routes include brand new links from Yate on Service 862, Gloucester on Service 866 and Kemble on Service 860.

Students will be able to buy a 'Megarider' pass offering unlimited use of the Stagecoach network across Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, South Gloucestershire and Bristol, within the academic year.

Six-hundred students are expected to use the new network on a daily basis and the routes will also be open to the general public.

Karen Fraser, vice Principal of student experience, said: “This is a win-win opportunity for our students, who will enjoy flexible travel to suit both their timetable and work placement needs. This will be at no extra costs and, as a bonus, they can use the ticket on weekends and holidays without paying more.

“In addition, our community wins by having better, sustainable transport links into Cirencester. This includes journeys from Kemble Station, which will help people to get to work more easily, as well as visit our fabulous town centre and hopefully boost the local economy.”

Annemarie Thurgood, director of Cirencester Chamber of Commerce, said: “To offer more transport from both smaller and larger towns in and around the county is fantastic. "The fact that the new routes will have public access allows people to easily commute or visit Cirencester.

"The service will also encourage students and workers from outside of the area to consider the town as a place to study or work in. “The College annual pass gives students the independence to find weekend and evening jobs within our local community. On the flip side, this enables those that may struggle to find a job here to look further afield, but remain living in Cirencester.”

James O’Neill, commercial manager for Stagecoach West, said: “It’s a very exciting opportunity to get young people travelling with us by bus and supporting the public network, whilst getting great value from their ticket with evening and weekend travel at no extra cost.”

A full list of routes can be found

here

.