Worcestershire on Demand

Worcestershire on Demand

Helping people make essential local journeys.

Funded by UK Government logo

What is Worcestershire on Demand?

Worcestershire on Demand offers an alternative transport option to fixed route public transport services. It helps people make essential local journeys within a defined area, and offers residents and visitors transport within a zoned area and to specific places of interest outside of the zone.

The service can also provide journeys to connecting transport services, such as other local buses or to local train stations.

Worcestershire on Demand allows passengers to book on to the service from an app. Passengers can request transport for a specific time or to arrive at their destination at a specific time and this will give a selection of boarding times available. Transport will collect the passenger from a designated pick-up point and will drop off at the required location. Unlike fixed route bus services, the service is flexible depending on the destinations and collection points.

The maps below show both the Worcestershire on Demand North Worcestershire Expansion Zone and Malvern Zone, including points of interest inside and outside the zones.

North Worcestershire Expansion Zone

This includes: Abbey Stadium, Alvechurch Rail Station,  Attwell Farm Park, Barnt Green Rail Station, Becketts Farm, Bromsgrove Hospital, Clent Hills, Cofton Park, Hanbury Hall, Jinny Ring Craft Centre, Lickey Hills Country Park, Princess of Wales Hospital, Shirley Rail Station, Transport Museum at Wythall, Waseley Hills Country Park, Webbs of Wychbold, Whitlocks End Rail Station. Coach and Horses Public House

Malvern Zone

This includes: Great Malvern train station, Worcestershire Parkway train station, Great Malvern town, Upton town centre, Malvern Community Hospital, Malvern Link train station, Malvern retail park, Blackmore Caravan Park, Blackmore Business park, Willow End Business Park, Merebrook Industrial Estate, Hanley workshops, Tesco Superstore, St Peters Garden Centre, ALDI and B & M St Peters, County Hall, Countryside Centre, Croome Court, Tewkesbury Town

How does it work?

Passengers will need to download the app via Google Play or the Apple App store. Once registered, passengers can book journeys via the app to other locations within the zone and Places of Interest outside the zone.  A branded vehicle picks you up at your request, changing its route as needed so that all passengers who are travelling on the vehicle can get to where they need to go. 

Where does the service operate?

Worcestershire County Council has successfully launched ‘Worcestershire on Demand’ in Bromsgrove and is currently piloting a scheme in the district of Malvern Hills. Following the success of these areas, further locations across the county will be piloted to allow the Council to understand better how this type of service could benefit the region.

Due to the success in Bromsgrove, the service will expand on the 12 August to cover North Worcestershire. 

How do the 'zones' work?

Journeys can be booked from within the highlighted zone to another destination within that zone. Journeys can also be made to designated places of interest outside of the zone – such as retail parks, hospitals, country parks and train stations. At least one of the journeys needs to be starting or ending within the zone. Journeys can’t be made to ‘Places of Interest’ from outside of the zone. 

Booking a journey

The best way to book a journey is through our trusted app which can be downloaded through Google Play or the Apple App store. Click on the images below to visit the websites. Search for 'Worcestershire on Demand'

apple app store logo and linkgoogle play store logo and link

Booking through this app will provide live updates through messages giving the vehicle arrival time, the registration number of the vehicle and you can track the vehicle location and the registration of the vehicle giving accurate information to plan journeys.

If a passenger doesn’t have access to the app, bookings can be made via the telephone however, live information can’t be given if bookings are made by phone. 

How far in advance should I book?

Prebooked journeys can be made up to 5 days in advance. Services can get very busy so it’s always advisable to book ahead.  Services can also be booked for the same day or to travel ‘now’.

What if there is no availability? 

This means there are no journeys available for the time selected. Try altering the timeframe as this will show available booking options.

Enquires

For enquires, or issues relating to the app:

  • email: WOD@worcestershire.gov.uk
  • call: 01905 846180 (office hours between 9:00am to 5:00pm Monday to Friday excluding bank holidays)

When do services operate?

Services operate Monday to Saturday, 7:00am to 7:00pm. Services do not operate on Sundays or bank holidays.

How much does it cost?

Journeys can be booked up to 5 days in advance.

  • each journey costs £2.50
  • group booking offers are available (each additional passenger pays £1.25 for a journey)
  • under 5-year old's travel free

How do I pay for my journey?

Once you have downloaded the app via the apple or android store, you will need to register.  Registering your card for payments via the app is the easiest and way to make your journey straightforward, simple and effortless. 
When registering through the app, you can add your card details and pay directly through the secure payment system making your journey easy and simple.  The driver will then get a notification to advise you have paid via the app. 
Payments can also be made on board the service. Both cash and contactless payments are accepted.

Can I use my bus pass?

Yes, concessionary passes are accepted after 9.30am (for pre-booked journeys only) as well as ‘Here to Help’ bus passes.

Pick-up and drop-off points

Where are the pick-up and drop-off points?

When you add your postcode, the app will give you the nearest stop and you will be collected from an agreed location near to the address. You will be dropped off at the location you choose as your destination. This will always aim to be the closest suitable stop to your location or destination. The service is not door-to-door so there will usually be a short walk either at end of the journey.

Will the service pick me up from my house?

No, the service is not a door-to-door service, but will collect you from an agreed location near to your home address. The pick-up location can change up until the journey is finalised. The journey is finalised one hour before the planned pick-up time, when the pick-up location is locked and the communicated pick-up window reduces from a 30-minute window to a 6-minute window, to give you a more accurate time to be at your journey’s start location.

Where do I wait, what is the exact location?

The location of where to meet the bus will be confirmed via the booking app. You will get regular updates though text messages to tell you when your vehicle is near and give the details of the registration number.
 

Accessibility and child seats

Are the buses accessible?

Yes, you will need to select  an accessible vehicle  when making your booking on the app.

Are child seats available on board?

Our service operate with a variety of vehicles. We do not provide child seats on board, as every child is different it would be impossible to meet every individual requirement. Parents and carers are welcome to bring their own child seats if they wish, but please note that responsibility for fitting these rests with the parent or carer. Our drivers cannot assist with fixing child seats into the vehicle. We are unable to guarantee that the vehicles we operate will have seats suitable for a child seat to be fitted.

Please note that there is no legal requirement for a child to use a car seat when travelling on a minibus, however, children aged three or older must use an adult seat belt if travelling without one. More information can be found using this link: Child car seats: the law: When a child can travel without a car seat - GOV.UK

Further information

What colour is the bus?

The buses are brightly coloured in green with multi-coloured arrows. This is the branding of the service. 

Can I take my dog on the service?

Only support dogs are allowed.

Can I take my bike?

Bikes are not permitted on the vehicle due to the space available. 

What should I do if my bus doesn’t turn up?

Tell us! We want to hear if there are any issues with the service so we can investigate. You can contact us at WOD@worcestershire.gov.uk 

Community transport services

There are several Community Transport schemes which operate in these locations which can be used for hospital and doctors’ appointments and for social activities.

Some operators have specialist vehicles which are equipped with tail lifts or offer suitable space for wheelchairs for passengers with mobility limitations.

For more information on the services offered by local Community Transport schemes, please visit Travel and community transport.

Travel and community transport

Where can I get help?

For enquires, or issues relating to the app:

  • email: WOD@worcestershire.gov.uk
  • call: 01905 846180 (office hours between 9:00am to 5:00pm Monday to Friday excluding bank holidays)

Public transport services and train information

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