EVM’s Community low-entry minibus, based on the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, has been trialled on the Essex DaRT demand-responsive transport network with a view to adding new examples later in 2017.
The DaRT network in rural northern Essex is operated by Maldon-based Arrow Taxis and passenger growth on some services has topped 100%.
The Community, which can carry up to 18 seated passengers or 14 and one wheelchair user, is being assessed to help provide more seating capacity along with an improved ambience for customers, and when new minibuses arrive they will include wheelchair access and Euro 6 engines.
Arrow Taxis believes that the DaRT services are among the only examples to have consistently grown passenger numbers against a widespread drop on mainstream services.
The DaRT network has been nominated for a number of awards and it operates between 0600-2000hrs six days per week.
