More than 10,000 people have signed up to use the Oxford Bus Company’s ground-breaking on-demand ride-sharing service since it launched.
The 10,000 registered users have completed more than 20,000 journeys, which is ahead of expectations.
PickMeUp began on 25 June using six 17-seat Euro 6 Mercedes-Benz minibuses. It enables passengers in eastern Oxford to summon buses to pick them up on a street corner of their choice, to go to a bespoke destination. The service is the largest scheme of its kind to be launched by a UK bus company.
Phil Southall, Managing Director of the Oxford Bus Company, says: “We’re delighted with the response to this new service, it has exceeded our expectations and is continuing to grow. The service and associated technology is still in its infancy and we would encourage people to continue to support it to ensure it progresses. With the new university year now due to start we have also noticed students have already begun to sign up to the app and we look forward to welcoming them to the service.
“This is a new idea in transport, using the very latest mapping and co-ordination technology, and it’s got the potential to be part of the solution in tackling air quality and traffic congestion in many towns and cities. The technology behind the app is continuing to evolve and next week we will be conducting a passenger survey to gather feedback to see if there are any ways we can continue to improve the service.”
