An on-demand bus service has expanded to a new area in Buckinghamshire following passenger success.
PickMeUp service by Carousel Buses has added a new destination to the service almost a year after it launched in the High Wycombe area.
Following demand from residents and money from the government, the service was extended to Flackwell Heath from August 29.
Buckinghamshire Council’s cabinet member for transport Steven Broadbent said: “Having spotted a gap in regular bus services in some areas of the town and listened to local views, it has been really good to see growing numbers of people embracing the Wycombe PickMeUp as a convenient and greener way to travel. Carousel are enabling us to provide better and more sustainable transport options for High Wycombe and we are pleased to be continuing on the next step with them.”
READ MORE: Carousel Buses announces changes to bus timetables
Passenger figures show around 100 people used the service daily by the end of the first week of service in September last year.
By December, 220 passengers travelled on PickMeUp daily, increasing to 1,500 rides per week to date.
Since its launch, thousands of residents have benefitted from “an efficient, low-carbon, on-demand mode of transport” in areas without conventional bus routes, Carousel Buses managing director Luke Marion said.
“The continuing popularity of the service demonstrates the role that demand-responsive transport plays in improving air quality and traffic congestion in the UK. We look forward to serving passengers in Flackwell Heath,” he added.
The expanded route aims to improve links from Flackwell Heath to Loudwater, Cressex, Booker and other parts of High Wycombe with no direct bus.
An additional bus will operate during the busiest times in the morning and afternoon.
A three-year funding for the new routes comes from the government's Rural Mobility Fund Grant.
What is PickMeUp
The ‘Uber-style’ minibus allows passengers in High Wycombe area to order it to a virtual bus stop and travel to a destination of their choice between 6am and 7pm.
Passengers can book the wheelchair accessible bus to a stop of their choice using a smartphone app or by calling a number if they don't use a smartphone.
All single journeys currently cost £2 as part of the national single bus fare cap until the end of October.
Bus tickets such as the Wycombe Smart Zone tickets and Concessionary Bus Passes are valid on the service.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel