Bid for £1 million of funding to pay for 'on demand' bus service for people living in Kenilworth and villages west of Warwick

The Department for Transport confirmed last month that the county’s bid was one of 17 schemes in the running and it is anticipated that the money will be released once the final business case has been submitted.

A report outlining details of the pilot bus service explains that the full cost will be around £1.75m over five years. In addition to the funding from central government, funds from section 106 contributions linked to housing developments in Hatton and Hampton Magna will also be used.

The report explained that the proposed new service would operate on Mondays to Saturdays between 6am and 7.30pm and replace part of the 16 bus service between Warwick and Kenilworth.

It added: “The service would provide residents with an improved service, enhanced accessibility and greater flexibility, including catering for journeys to work.

“Provision of the new demand responsive transport service includes the launch of a mobile phone app enabling residents to book their journeys - like Uber when booking taxi journeys, albeit residents will need to walk to the nearest bus stop to be picked up. Residents will also be able to book their journeys online and via telephone through use of an existing call centre.”

The report also explained that the service would give access to major employment sites including Warwick Technology Park as well as Warwick Hospital, Warwick Parkway and Kenilworth Rail Stations and various schools and medical centres.

Government funding will come from the DfT Rural Mobility Fund and the area was selected because it was felt that the existing 16 bus service had not met its full potential.

The report added: “Transforming the bus service provision to a sophisticated demand responsive transport service should provide greater flexibility for residents, boost patronage and reduce bus subsidy costs in real terms.

“Depending on the success of the pilot over the five-year funding period, county council officers will be considering other areas for roll out including the introduction of mobile phone app journey booking features on existing demand responsive transport services in Rugby, Stratford and North Warwickshire operated under contract to the county council.”