A DISTRICT Councillor has said the new BOD (Bromsgrove On Demand) bus service had inspired him to use his car much less since its launch.
Coun Michael Thompson said he was never a regular bus user and had got used to driving everywhere.
But, he added, in the past few weeks he had opted to use BOD instead of getting behind the wheel.
“This bus is so user friendly and I have been using it a lot where I would have ordinarily taken my car.
“With further investment, the bus will be fully electric in the future so that that the council meets its carbon free targets.”
Coun Kyle Daisley: “When we used the bus it took no longer than three minutes to pick us up from our desired point.
“The bus is all part of our drive to link communities, like Charford, with the railway station and other residential and commercial centres.
“Investment will also be made in next generation green shelters for the railway station – which will utilise solar and wind power.”
Those wanting to use the bus can download the Worcestershire On Demand app from the Play Store for Android or the Apple Store and then can book the bus in advance or summon it to a ‘virtual bus stop’ wherever they want to be picked up from and add in their drop-off point.
Because it is not restricted to a set timetable, the bus calculates the best route using artificial intelligence (AI).
It was free for the first weeks so people could try it out and it is now a £2.50 charge for each journey although the council did say at last month’s launch the idea of monthly season tickets was being looked into.
Bromsgrove is the pilot for the scheme which is set to be rolled out across Worcestershire.
Click here for more on the service.
