App developer Citymapper works with Impact Coaches to launch on-demand services
An innovative way of running buses in London started its first two-day trial yesterday (9 May).
With vehicles operated by Impact Coaches of London, public transport app provider Citymapper has launched a “pop-up” bus service in central London.
The circular route, ‘CMX1’, runs from Southwark to Blackfriars and back along the south bank, using existing bus stops. It uses three brand-new Mercedes-Benz Sprinter minibuses, all painted bright green and fitted with USB charging points and next-stop display monitors.
Drivers will use custom-made tablets with real-time traffic data, passenger numbers and headway information, advised by a central controller.
The buses will use Citymapper’s data to offer routes that vary in response to demand, stopping at regular points, but with adjusted routes according to traffic conditions.
It’s a free service during the trial, to ensure the equipment works, while Citymapper waits for a London Service Permit from Transport for London which will allow it to run flexible, adaptable services.
The vehicles are operated from Impact’s Perivale depot. Impact has been in talks with Citymapper for over a year to launch the service, and extensive three-week training has been given to 10 drivers so far, including for customer service, safeguarding and TfL’s ‘In the Zone’ bus driver training.
Charlie Hamilton, Managing Director of Impact, describes the vehicles and the customer service offered as “first-class”, adding: “We’ve put a lot of time and effort into getting it right.
“We’re expecting it to grow significantly over the next few months. If we do it right, it will redefine bus services.”
Citymapper launched its first public transport app in London in 2012, using open data from TfL to help people plan their journeys.
Citymapper aims to complement the existing TfL network by filling in the gaps, with full seven-days-a-week services. Ultimately it also plans to roll it out to other cities.
