Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council

Community Lynx

Community Lynx is a new 'demand responsive' bus service for rural communities that do not have access to normal scheduled bus services or for residents that can not use them.
The service is funded through the government's Rural Bus Challenge scheme.

It works by booking journeys in advance by telephone. You will need to register with the service before you can book a journey. Call (01642) 52 7159for details.
Registered users can simply call (01642) 52 7159 to book a journey.

Bookings will soon be available on the internet and at selected healthcare sites. You can book a return journey and you can book seats for up to three more passengers travelling to the same destination if there are enough spaces on the bus.

Community Lynx operates between 9:00am and 9:00pm Mondays to Fridays and 9:30am and 5:00pm on Saturday and Sunday. Bookings can be made between 9:00am and 3:00pm.

Want to find out more? - Call (01642) 52 7159 for more information.

Booking times will be extended once the new computerised management system is fully installed. This will also cut down the amount of notice needed for booking journeys.

At times of peak demand it may be that Community Lynx buses are fully booked. Priority will be given to people needing to get to the doctors, dentists or a hospital appointment.

Community Lynx buses are NOT meant to replace scheduled buses. If a scheduled bus service can be used, you cannot book Community Lynx for the same journey.

Community Lynx operates 'Door to Door' between your starting point and your destination, but your journey will be shared with other passengers travelling along all or part of your route. This will mean picking up passengers or dropping them off on the way.

Community Lynx buses are low floor and wheel chair accessible, sop they will be easy to use for anyone with mobility problems or passengers with buggies or shopping trolleys.

Who can use this service?
Community Lynx can be used by anyone living in the rural communities of Wolviston, Wynyard, Kirklevington, Stillington, Elton, Long Newton and Sedgefield. The service is being provided under the governments Rural Bus Challenge scheme for rural communities.

Where can you go?
You can travel to or from anywhere in Stockton-On-Tees and Sedgefield, plus healthcare facilities at the University Hospital of Hartlepool and the James Cook University Hospital. Priority will be given to journeys to healthcare appointments, including those at the University Hospital of North Tees. Dental appointments will also be given priority. The only restriction on use is the availability of buses - but priority will be given to health, education and weekly shopping trips.

How much does it cost?
You will be charged £1.50 per journey for journeys within your own town and £2.00 per journey for trips that cross a town boundary.

Are there any restrictions?
Community Lynx is designed to supplement local bus services and not to compete with them. Journeys that can be made using scheduled services (with one change of bus) will not be allowed, unless you are unable to use scheduled bus services because of mobility problems.