On-demand bus

About this good practice

By project INNOTRANS

Published on 14 February 2022

United Kingdom

West Midlands

The service for staff, students and the local community, is being trialled for the first time in the region as part of the Future Mobility Showcase – a two-year partnership between Transport for West Midlands (TfWM), part of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) and the University of Warwick to pilot innovative transport modes and technology designed to reduce private car use.
It is pioneering new type of bus services which uses the latest app technology to offer a bus where you want it and at the right time within the zone, rather than restricted to set routes and timetables. The on-demand services are operated by Via and CoachScanner with funding from TfWM and the university.
It is pioneering new type of bus services which uses the latest app technology to offer a bus where you want it and at the right time within the zone, rather than restricted to set routes and timetables. The on-demand services are operated by Via and CoachScanner with funding from TfWM and the university. The trial will allow a trial of a number of transport options for the future and to understand how transport solutions work in real situations even in the Covid-19 pandemic.

Resources needed

Bus/transport
Technology to create/maintain or develop an app to support the service
Bus drivers

Evidence of success

To early to note any tangible results

Potential for learning or transfer

The Good Practice has huge potential in which to be transferred or replicate in other regions. The technology is already there and could be adapted to suit either other campus locations or indeed rural areas that need to be connected but in a sustainable way.