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Sittingbourne chosen as location for launch of a new minibus service

Sittingbourne residents are among the first in the country to have access to an on-demand minibus service.

The town has been chosen by transport giant Arriva as the location for today's launch of its ArrivaClick smartphone app.

Customers can use the app to book a pick-up point and time. They will then be dropped off at a destination of their choosing in the town.

Inside the ArrivaClick minibus
Inside the ArrivaClick minibus

Journeys are matched with other people heading in the same direction.

It has been trialled between Kent Science Park (KSP) and Sittingbourne Railway Station but is now expanding across the rest of the town, as well as Iwade.

To encourage people to use ArrivaClick, a promotional price of £1 per mile is available. For anyone travelling with a friend, the additional passenger travels for half price.

The ArrivaClick smartphone app
The ArrivaClick smartphone app

Oliver Monahan, area managing director for Arriva in Kent and Surrey, said: "ArrivaClick reflects what we know about our existing customers who value timeliness and flexibility as
well as recognising a shift in consumer and market behaviour which has seen people expecting a service that is bespoke and tailored to their needs, whilst also being responsive and sitting in the palm of their hand.

"ArrivaClick delivers all of the above and is a totally new way of travelling.

"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 it will encourage people to try alternative ways to travel."

The ArrivaClick minibus at Kent Science Park
The ArrivaClick minibus at Kent Science Park

Patrick Benham-Crosswell, KSP site director, said ArrivaClick had proved to be a great success at the park.

"More than 25% of employees here have used the app, reducing car journeys, congestion and emissions.

"Of course, as well as serving workers here ArrivaClick is also available to anyone in Sittingbourne with a smartphone.

"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."

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