STOURPORT, Bewdley and Hartlebury are among the next stops for the roll-out of Worcestershire County Council’s On Demand bus service.
The move, offering a flexible and convenient alternative to traditional public transport, will give people in those areas more choice when it comes to getting around.
To ensure smooth and efficient operation, journeys are capped around nine miles (as the crow flies) and smaller vehicles will be used to navigate rural roads easier and deliver faster, more cost-effective trips.
The bus will be available to those in the Central Zone – Stourport, Hartlebury and surrounding rural areas – later this year and the North West Zone, which will extend to Bewdley and primarily serve Wyre Forest District, will launch in the first half of next year.
How it works
Passengers download the Worcestershire on Demand app – free from the Apple App Store and Google Play.
They then select their pick-up and drop-off points, guiding them to nearby ‘virtual bus stops’ designed for efficient, shared travel. The app also provides real-time updates on bus arrival times.
The service operates from 7am to 7pm, Monday to Saturday. To celebrate the launch, all journeys will be free for the first month.
After this, fares will be £2.50 per person per journey, with £1.25 for additional passengers. Concessionary cards are accepted and veterans ride free of charge. Frequent travellers can also benefit from discounted ticket bundles.
Since its launch in Bromsgrove in July 2021, Worcestershire on Demand has completed over 104,000 trips, with the Malvern service, launched in June 2023, seeing nearly 18,000 trips already.
Coun Karl Perks, Worcestershire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, said the on demand service had proved extremely popular in Bromsgrove and Malvern so the authority was thrilled to be rolling it out further.
“The piloting of a journey cap and smaller vehicles reflects our tailored approach to meet the unique needs of each community and we’ll be closely monitoring feedback as the service launches.
“We are committed to rolling out on demand transport across Worcestershire, and that’s why we have a forward plan in place to provide as many people as possible with a sustainable, affordable, and user-friendly way to travel.”
Visit: worcestershire.gov.uk/WOD for more information on the on demand bus services and to download the app.
Anyone struggling to download or use the app can get help from staff at Worcestershire libraries.
