Council’s new on-demand rural bus service goes the extra mile

Cheshire West and Chester Council’s new on-demand rural bus service, which aims to improve connectivity in some of the more remote parts of the borough, has proved a big success.

The ‘itravel’ pilot scheme covers a wide area including Helsby, Frodsham, Delamere and Acton Bridge, as well as some other villages, where no commercial services are available.

In its first few weeks of operation the service has clocked up an impressive 347 journeys with 569 passengers.

The bus service can be booked online, using a mobile phone app, or phone call, which allows a resident, or group of residents, to request a bus for a specific journey.

Passengers select their pick-up and drop off stops when they book and app users receive a confirmation email.  Payment can be made by card or cash on the bus.

The service is not tied to a fixed route, allowing for quick and efficient shared trips without lengthy detours or fixed schedules, in addition the service will operate to and from train stations to further enhance connectivity for these areas.

Two branded 16-seater mini-buses are available between 7am and 7pm, Monday to Friday, with low-floor access.

If the pilot service is successful, feedback will be used in revisions of the Council’s Bus Service Improvement Plan to roll the scheme out to other parts of the borough, dependent on securing the necessary funding.

The Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Environment, Transport and Highways, Councillor Karen Shore said:

“I’m delighted the service has proved such a success.  Today I met with some of the passengers who have used the service and it has made a real difference to communities in rural areas of the borough.

“This demand-responsive solution helps people of all ages to attend medical appointments, access further education and training or go shopping.

“It reduces car dependency, connects communities and reduces transport related social isolation, as well as contributes to the Council’s own low-carbon aspirations.”

Sophie Kavanagh, who lives in Delamere and uses the service frequently now, said:

“This service has literally been a life saver for me.  I don’t drive but now I have an easy way to drop off my children at school in Frodsham. 

“I have been using the app and I find it really easy to use plus I live right next to one of the stops so it’s perfect for me.  All the drivers are wonderful and I’m so impressed with the service.  It’s made such a difference to me and my family.”

Elizabeth Eakin of Frodsham, is also impressed with the service and said:

“The benefit of this service is that it makes so many more locations accessible by public transport and it enables me to plan and book journeys at times that best suit me.

“Whilst I do have a car, my husband does not. He is due to take two months of parental leave next year and will need to be able to take our daughter to nursery whilst I am back at work.  He would usually cycle but our baby son will be too young to travel on a bike. We had thought that we would need to hire a car for two months, but this bus service means we won't have to.”

The ‘itravel’ service has an introductory single £2 flat fare, rising to £2.50 in November, to mirror the Government’s national scheme.  People aged 19 and under can travel half fare and children under 5 years travel free.

Information on how to book the service can be found on the Council’s website at: 

https://www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/itravel

...or make a booking here: 

https://bookings.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/login.

The ‘itravel | on demand bus’ app is available for both iPhone and android devices from your usual app store.

Alternatively, ring 0330 678 1545, between 7am and 7pm, Monday to Friday.

This £1.075m, three-year pilot service has been funded by UK Government, Rural Mobility Fund project.

The Council continues to support the fixed-route bus network provided by commercial operators but unfortunately, commercial services are not always able to make some rural routes cost-effective. This is an area the council would like to see improve.

Pictured - L to R: Passengers Sophie and Jerome, Lynne McKie and John Ellis-Jones from the Council's Transport team, with Cabinet Member for Environment, Transport and Highways, Cllr Karen Shore and Becky, one of the itravel bus drivers.