Hertfordshire County Council (HCC) launched the HertsLynx demand responsive transport (DRT) service in the east and north of the county on Sunday 19 September. It has been established with funding from the Department for Transport’s Rural Mobility Fund and is operated by Uno.
The HertsLynx operating zone is centred on Buntingford. Also served are various “key hub towns” outside that area, including Stevenage, Royston and Hitchin. It forms part of the successful Intalink enhanced partnership in Hertfordshire. Fares vary between £1 and £4 depending on journey length.
Three Cityline low-entry minibuses have been supplied by EVM for HertsLynx. Two further vehicles will join in summer 2022. Padam Mobility’s DRT software-as-a-service platform powers the offering. In addition to the HertsLynx app, journeys can also be booked online or via phone. A “vast number” of virtual bus stops are served.
Says Uno Managing Director Jim Thorpe: “We are excited to have been successful in securing the contract to run HertsLynx, the first demand responsive bus service in rural Hertfordshire. We look forward to working with our customers and stakeholders to introduce it to the county.
“It will be a fantastic addition to public transport provision and reach parts of the county not previously served.”
Adds HCC Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport Phil Bibby: “I am really pleased that we are launching this new on-demand bus service. We want Hertfordshire to be cleaner, greener and healthier, and part of that means providing practical and affordable alternatives to the car.
“We have listened to what residents in these rural areas of the county have been telling us about wanting more frequent and flexible bus services. HertsLynx will certainly deliver that.”
