A town in Kent has become the first in the UK to launch a luxury minibus service which combines the features of a taxi ride and a bus journey.

Bus company Arriva has rolled out its ArrivaClick service across Sittingbourne after trailling it at Kent Science Park.

Ordered through an app, users can order a high-end minibus – complete with free 4G Wi-Fi and leather seats – from anywhere, like a taxi.

Their journey is matched with other people heading towards the same destination, like a bus, and they can track the minibus’s arrival on the app as they wait.

Travel will cost £1 per mile initially and anyone bringing family or friends will see their additional travellers journey for half price.

Oliver Monahan, area managing director for Arriva in Kent and Surrey, said the scheme is a “totally new way of travelling”.

He said: “We see similar ways of travelling on the continent and we believe there is a demand for this type of service here in the UK too. We hope that it will encourage people to try alternative ways to travel.”

During its trial, the service was used by more than a quarter of staff at Kent Science Park, which is home to more than 80 companies employing 1,750 people.

Site director Patrick Benham-Crosswell said: “It is wonderful that the trial is now entering its second, wider phase.

“This means that it is available to almost all those who work at Kent Science Park, which should further reduce the number of car movements to the site.

“And of course it will make the service available to many more of the public which should have a significant benefit to Sittingbourne.”