Bus users will soon be able to order a lift with a new app to improve connections between rural villages and larger towns.
The on-demand bus service, HertsLynx, is launching in the county from September 19, as part of Herts County Council’s plans to improve transport.
Residents in east and north Herts will be able to use the app to order a bus pick up and drop off from virtual bus stops along routes where normal bus services are infrequent.
The HertsLynx service is designed to make it easier for people to get to work or school, go shopping, or travel to appointments, without needing to use a car or taxi.
HertsLynx can be used for travel anywhere in its operating zone, which is centred around Buntingford.
There are no fixed routes on the service - instead passengers can be picked up and dropped off at a vast number of stops within this zone.
Passengers can also travel to designated locations in the key hub towns of Stevenage, Bishop’s Stortford, Royston, Baldock, Hitchin and Letchworth.
Phil Bibby, cabinet member for highways and transport, said: “I am really pleased that we’re launching this new on-demand bus service.
"We want Herts to be a cleaner, greener and healthier county, and part of that means providing practical and affordable alternatives to the car.
"We’ve listened to what residents in these rural areas of the county have been telling us about wanting more frequent and flexible bus services, and HertsLynx will certainly deliver that.”
Jim Thorpe, managing director for Uno, said: “We’re excited to have been successful in securing the contract to run the HertsLynx, the first demand responsive bus service in rural Hertfordshire, and look forward to working with our customers and stakeholders to introduce it to the county.
"It will be a fantastic addition to public transport provision and reach parts of the county not previously served.”
Journeys can be booked though the HertsLynx app, online at bookings.hertslynx.co.uk or over the phone on 01992 555513.
The cost of a journey will be between £1 and £4 depending on the length of the journey.
The HertsLynx service has been set up by Hertfordshire County Council with funding from the government’s Rural Mobility Fund.
For more information on HertsLynx visit www.intalink.org.uk/hertslynx.
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