Three Year Trial for on-demand bus service

Cheshire East residents are to be asked for their views on proposals to introduce an on-demand rural bus service.

Its aim is to reduce isolation in some of the more remote parts of the borough.

It would mean that a bus service could be booked using a mobile phone app or telephone call, with a doorstep pick-up service for less mobile passengers. If the trial is successful, it could be rolled out on a permanent basis, with the potential to extend to other parts of the borough.

Cheshire East Council has received £1.25m in government rural mobility funding to trial the innovative service. The three-year pilot will start at the end of August or beginning of September.

Pilot scheme includes Audlem

Known as demand responsive transport, it will cover a wide area south of Nantwich, taking in Bunbury, Wrenbury and Audlem, as well as some other villages, where no commercial services are available.

Some fixed route services are supported by the council but as many as 85 per cent of residents cannot access them conveniently.

Now the council wants your help to understand how the service is likely to be taken up by passengers and where the most popular trips could be.

A consultation will take place enabling residents to make suggestions. All feedback will help inform how the service is to operate to the best advantage of local residents.

Demand responsive transport enables a resident, or group of residents, to request a bus for a specific journey. Two branded 'midi' 16-seaters would be available, Monday to Saturday, with low floor access. Booking will be via a mobile app or phone and the service will not be tied to a specific route.

The council will now consult with town and parish councils, also free car share schemes to ensure the service complements and not conflicts with existing travel arrangements. The council's transport service, Transport Service Solutions, will purchase the new vehicles, provide distinctive branding and operate the booking system.

To take part in the consultation visit the Cheshire East Council website, here.

Note from Cllr Rachel Bailey:
I hope residents will take their opportunity to comment on this. It is so important that the 3 year government grant results in a permanent affordable service.


Please note the reference to service bus routes not being affordable!


Regards
Rachel