We have launched a pilot on-demand transport service for villagers across the district to provide access to high streets.
LinkUp, formed in partnership with transportation experts WeMove, is available to villages that do not currently have public transport routes into Lichfield city or Burntwood town centres.
This is a flexible service, that can be used Monday to Saturday through two fully accessible minibuses booked via a phone app or calling a contact centre.
It’s similar to booking a taxi, but residents share transport with others, just as they would a bus.
The service is £3 per journey, free of charge for children aged 11 and under and concession bus pass holders and allows residents to book a ride and be picked up from their nearest virtual bus stop.
A separate booking is needed for the return journey.
Councillor Janice Silvester-Hall, Cabinet Member for Visitor Economy, Ecology and Climate Change, said:
“We’re really excited to offer this brand new, great value transport service to villagers in Lichfield District. It’s flexible, easy to use and could prove to be the future of rural transport, enabling residents who do not currently have public transport to access our high streets by booking rides on demand for shopping, eating out or meeting friends.
“If the trial works well, we hope to extend and expand the service.”
LinkUp is a six month trial scheme, funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
To book a journey:
- Download the LinkUp app on Google Play or the App store
- Or call 0808 134 6632, Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm. Standard call charges apply.
- Whilst you can pay by cash on board, all journeys must be booked in advance. If you want to pay by cash, just select 'pay on board' when booking and pay the driver as you board.
Samuel Hunt, Operations Manager at WeMove, said:
“We are thrilled to partner with Lichfield District Council to launch their brand new service, LinkUp, which will provide a flexible and accessible transport service ensuring seamless connectivity for all.
“From inception to launch, we’ve collaborated closely with Lichfield District Council to deliver this service to the community, and as we look to the future, WeMove are committed to refining the service to maximise its impact and further support sustainable transport solutions within the district.
“WeMove are proud to have played a pivotal role in the creation of LinkUp and we want to say a huge thank you to everyone involved in making this vision a reality. We can’t wait to see the service up and running!"
Find out more about our LinkUp on-demand transport service.