Demand-responsive minibus service ArrivaClick has expanded to Watford. The service will be phased in from this week, complying with government guidance, and will be scaled up as the restrictions around COVID-19 are lifted.
Subsidised by Watford Borough Council, the service can be booked and paid for via a free mobile app accessible via www.watford.gov.uk/arrivaclick.
The service uses technology from smart mobility specialists ioki. Passengers can book from home and the service, responding to demand from passengers and the routes they want to take, will pick them up from a ‘virtual stop’ close to their starting point.
From Thursday 2 July, the service will operate with three Mercedes-Benz Sprinter minibuses at a reduced capacity of a maximum of four people at any one time. Passengers will be asked to comply with the latest government guidance, such as the wearing of face coverings. A full cleaning regime will be in place and the driver will follow government guidelines at all times.
The minibuses will operate across the borough and to Warner Brother Studios and Croxley Park. Each vehicle will be fitted with tables, free WiFi, USB chargers and air-conditioning.
Ticket prices range from £1 to £2.50 per mile depending on the time of day and further discounts are available to regular users via weekly passes and credit bundles. The hours of operation will be 0600 to 2200hrs from Monday to Saturday (extending to 2300hrs on Friday and Saturday evenings) and 0800 to 2100hrs on Sundays.
Elected Mayor of Watford, Peter Taylor, said: “It is important that we offer new ways to travel around the town so that we can cut congestion and make our air cleaner. I am delighted to be launching a demand responsive bus scheme for Watford and am confident that ArrivaClick will be a real success in our town. I am looking forward to welcoming the first buses to Watford and joining people in our town using them to get around.”
Adam Toone, Business Development Director at Arriva added: “We are thrilled to see that, in partnership with Watford Borough Council, we are able to launch the ArrivaClick service. It’s really important that public transport plays a key role as lockdown measures are eased. Customers can be reassured that we’re cleaning the vehicles thoroughly, using disinfectant and ensuring social distancing measures are followed at all times. We will continuously monitor the public health guidelines and ensure that we continue to keep our drivers and customers safe. We look forward to welcoming customers on board.”