On demand bus services set for trial merger

Two door-to-door bus services currently on offer in Coventry are to be merged to give users access to more vehicles, longer hours of operation, wider coverage and lower fares for many.

The trial merger of West Midlands bus On Demand And Ring & Ride, although taken in a bid to reduce costs following a slow post-Covid recovery, would create the UK 's largest demand responsive transport (DRT) service.

The Ring & Ride service is available door-to-door to anybody who cannot, or finds it difficult, to use regular public transport due to mobility issues or social isolation. It is currently only carrying around a quarter of its pre-covid passenger numbers.

It is now set to be merged into the West Midlands Bus On Demand uber-style shared bus service which was launched in the city last year under the region 's Future Transport Zone trial programme.

Ring & Ride customers will also benefit from the greater coverage of WM Bus On Demand, meaning they will now be able to travel to villages surrounding Coventry.

They will also have greater flexibility over bookings - arranging journeys any time between six days ahead to on the day. At present Ring & Ride bookings are only taken the day before.

The trial merger, to be run during 2023, will see the introduction of a new charging structure based on distance travelled, with half-price concession fares available for those 18 and under, elderly users and customers with disabilities.

Under the proposed fare structure existing Ring & Ride passengers will pay just £1 for a journey under three miles. This currently costs £1.30. Concession fares for longer journeys of up to 10 miles will be capped at £2.

All users will be able to book via telephone, online or the smartphone app and have the option to pay with cash or card.

Pete Bond, TfWM director of integrated transport services said: “Like the wider bus industry, these services are facing a difficult future following the double-whammy of lower demand after the Covid pandemic and rising costs of operation. But we know the Ring & Ride service in particular offers a valued social lifeline for its customers, who are mostly older or disabled people.

“Passengers of both services will, through the trial, share rides under the West midlands on demand banner and now have the opportunity to travel further and at different times of the day. Other than that, the service will be broadly similar to the one currently enjoyed. ”

West Midlands Ring & Ride services outside Coventry will continue to operate as present.