General

Novus Leicester

New Lubbesthorpe - a connected community

Central Connect are a local transport provider headquartered in Loughborough, Leicestershire. We work in partnership with GO Travel Solutions to deliver bus services for the New Lubbesthorpe community in south Leicester, using funding from The Drummond Trust.

In partnership with Go Travel Solutions and the Drummond Estate we've made significant changes to Novus Direct from Monday 23rd February in an effort to ensure future sustainability of the transport offering in New Lubbesthorpe and to reflect the significant weekday growth seen on the service throughout 2025. 

NovusDirect

Our NovusDirect service offers a fast, frequent link from New Lubbesthorpe to Leicester City Centre, providing regular buses seven days a week. Buses also serve Thorpe Astley, Braunstone Leisure Centre, Leicester Royal Infirmary and Leicester Train Station.

A small number of journeys each weekday also extend to and from Brockington College in Enderby for those living in New Lubbesthorpe who are studying at the college. 

Buses

We have upgraded the small service buses to full length single decks providing twice the number of seats across across the entire day. To account for the additional running time required with larger buses a new timetable has been introduced with revised frequencies across the week as follows:

  • Weekday daytime journeys will run generally every 20 minutes.
  • Saturday daytime journeys will run every 30 minutes.
  • Sunday daytime journeys will run hourly.
  • Evening buses will continue to run hourly until 2330 each day, including on Sundays.

>>Click here to find the Novus Direct timetable, including a PDF download<<

>>Click here for the Novus Direct route map<<

Fares

Alongside the change in timetable we've made some changes to the fares and payment options on Novus Direct.

From Monday 23rd February, we no longer accept cash on board. Over 95% of journeys on the route are already made via contactless bank card or the myTrip app where we offer a range of great value fares and season passes. There's no changes to our longer season passes with Month, 3-Month and 1 Year pass prices frozen. 

English National Concessionary Travel Scheme passes and Leicester Flexi tickets will continue to be valid.

A summary of fare changes is laid out below:

  • All Under-19 Singles will increase by 20p.
  • Day Tickets will increase to £5.50 (Adults) and £3.50 (U19s)
  • Week Tickets will increase to £23.00 (Adults) and £16.00 (U19s)

>>Click for the Novus Direct farechart<<

LocalGO discounts for New Lubbesthorpe residents

In partnership with GO Travel Solutions, Central Connect provide free and discounted bus passes for New Lubbesthorpe residents. To apply go to localgo.co.uk/join.

Help and support

Central Connect's customer services team are available to assist you with any queries relating to Novus Leicester. Please email contact@central-connect.co.uk and one of the team will get back to you as soon as possible.

If you are travelling now, and need support with your journey (e.g. you are waiting at a bus stop and the bus hasn't arrived as expected), please call 0115 777 3187.

You can view live travel updates on our Twitter feed here.