On-demand bus service trialled in rural villages

Councillor Janice Silvester-Hall believes the service could be the future of rural transport

A new on-demand bus service has been introduced for some Staffordshire villages.

Lichfield District Council is trialling the scheme, where residents can book a minibus on the phone or using a mobile app.

It is being made available in villages without a public transport route into Lichfield city centre or Burntwood town centre and will be offered Monday to Saturday, the council said.

It will work like a taxi, and will cost £3 per journey, but is free of charge for children under the age of 11 and concession bus pass holders.

"It's flexible, easy to use and could prove to be the future of rural transport," said councillor Janice Silvester-Hall.

She added that it would enable residents who do not currently have public transport to access the district's high streets for shopping, eating out or meeting friends.

One bus you are not likely to miss, it is brightly coloured and arrives on-demand

If the six-month trial is successful, the authority said it hoped to expand the service further.

The council said people would have the option to pay in cash, but all journeys must be booked in advance – as must the return journey.

The LinkUp bus operates 09:00 - 17:00 Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and 09:00 to19:00 Thursday, Fridays and Saturdays.

It is is being funded through the government's UK Shared Prosperity Fund.