Demand Responsive Transport

Descriptions

Cheshire West & Chester Council (CW&C) has made a successful bid to the Rural Mobility Fund to launch a new Demand Responsive Transport (DRT) public bus service serving the rural area surrounding Frodsham & Helsby, as shown in Annex A. A large part of the area is not currently provided with bus services - this will be an additional service, which will complement existing services. This pilot DRT service will test how a flexible service, primarily booked through an App, can provide an option that will meet the travel needs of many people whom the current bus network does not serve. Attractive service branding and proactive marketing will seek to attract new users who are currently lacking affordable transport (particularly younger people). Whilst the service will introduce new resources into the area (three new accessible vehicles) it will also seek to follow 'Total Transport' principles and make better use of existing vehicles through integration with the local Community Transport projects and potentially the Council's in-house fleet, to enhance the service offer. The service will be fully accessible, enabling easy access for passengers with mobility or sensory impairments.