Arriva has extended the operating hours of its demand-responsive ArrivaClick minibus service to Kent Science Park (KSP) in Sittingbourne, causing operator Chalkwell to deregister its conventional bus service.
ArrivaClick is operated with five Mercedes-Benz Sprinters converted by EVM and supplied by London Hire. It now runs between 0600-2200hrs Monday to Saturday. Booking is app-driven, with passengers requesting a minibus being grouped together on one of the 12-seaters.
Both Arriva and KSP have come in for criticism from Chalkwell Commercial Director Roland Eglinton following Chalkwell’s decision to withdraw it service.
Mr Eglinton says that Chalkwell has been unable to compete with ArrivaClick’s “increasingly reduced fares, free travel promotions, and multiple high-specification buses operating on demand.”
He also alleges that ArrivaClick minibuses often operate with just a single passenger, increasing the service’s attractiveness.
“We have provided a commercial service to KSP without subsidy or additional funding since 2003. Despite that. KSP chose to work with Arriva and introduce ArrivaClick, which has undermined the viability of our route.”
Weekly and monthly passes are available for ArrivaClick, but single fares are variable and paid via a credit ‘bundle’ purchased in advance.
