Stagecoach supports launch of new dedicated demand responsive transport service for NHS
15 May 2020
- New app-based bus service, Stagecoach Connect, to be launched for Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Trust this month as part of a trial of Demand Responsive Transport in Mansfield and Sutton
- Stagecoach working in partnership with Nottinghamshire County Council, Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Trust and ViaVan
- Initially rolled out for East Midlands with potential to be rolled out to other parts of the NHS across the UK
- Initiative developed from concept to delivery in just two weeks to help COVID-19 response
- Stagecoach and ViaVan see key role for on-demand solutions as part of future public transport plans
- Emergency scheduled bus networks continue to deliver vital links for UK's key workers
The UK's first dedicated app-based demand responsive bus service for NHS workers is set to be launched this month as the health service continues to play a critical role in tackling the coronavirus pandemic, Stagecoach announced today.
Stagecoach is working in partnership with Nottinghamshire County Council, Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Trust and ViaVan, the company that provides digital infrastructure to power public mobility in cities across Europe, to launch the new Stagecoach Connect service.
The service will come into effect for a trial at King’s Mill Hospital in Sutton-in-Ashfield from Monday 18 May.
Stagecoach, Britain's biggest bus and coach operator, is also involved in discussions with other NHS Trusts, including in Humberside, about the roll out of a similar service.
The NHS is one of the world’s largest employers with around 1.7 million workers across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland working at hundreds of locations across the UK.
Stagecoach’s customised travel solution, branded as Stagecoach Connect, was developed from concept to delivery with ViaVan in just two weeks to help NHS employees access hospitals and other key workplaces in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
The service at King’s Mill Hospital will operate early in the morning and late evening hours, an expansion from the existing fixed line service which is focused on creating access for healthcare workers during additional shift patterns. In this way those key workers do not have to worry about a tired drive home or finding a car parking space during busy times.
Stagecoach Connect is a digitally powered transport service that enables NHS workers to get to-and-from work with ease and in comfort. Through the use of a mobile app, powered by ViaVan’s technology for demand-responsive transport, healthcare workers are able to track the location of their bus, change or cancel a booking, and pre-book up to one week in advance to match upcoming shift schedules. They will select a desired pick-up and drop-off location, and will be matched with a seat in a high-capacity bus that is fully compliant with public health guidelines for social distancing. The technology will direct healthcare workers to a nearby “virtual bus stop” for pickup, allowing for quick and efficient shared trips without lengthy detours, fixed routes or schedules.
The new demand responsive service is part of the emergency scheduled bus network currently in place for key workers being provided by Stagecoach and other bus operators around the country.
As the country looks to move out of lockdown, Stagecoach is working with industry partners and the government on the measures needed to support Britain’s most important mode of public transport, and on the steps to keep people safe and reassured.
Stagecoach Chief Executive Martin Griffiths said: "We have all been overwhelmed and deeply proud of the huge effort of all key workers, particularly our fantastic doctors, nurses, cleaners and their support teams right across the NHS.
"Along with other transport operators, we have worked hard to continue providing key links to essential services and have adapted our schedules to meet the needs of key workers. But we know from our discussions with the NHS that a more tailored solution would deliver better employee transport and we wanted to help with that.
"In just two weeks, we have worked with our partners to develop a new dedicated service that will go live this month and help to ensure essential hospital workers have fast and easy access to public transport around the clock."
Mr Griffiths added: “We firmly believe that demand responsive transport, backed up by an easy technology solution, has huge potential right across the NHS and for other major organisations seeking a better and more sustainable solution to crowded car parks and unnecessary ‘single use’ polluting car trips.
"As we come out of lockdown into our new normal, we are looking at how this type of service can support the public and private sector in getting back on its feet, and helping communities across the country recover.”
Ben Widdowson, Associate Director for Estates and Facilities for Sherwood Forest Hospitals, said: “I would like to thank Stagecoach for their work on this app, I think it will really help colleagues who need to use public transport at this difficult time. It is great that we have been able to work together to find a solution to keep our staff who need to use public transport as safe as possible.”
Councillor John Cottee, Committee Chair for Communities and Place at Nottinghamshire County Council added: “The County Council is happy to support this service to ensure key workers can get to work through this difficult time; and in the longer-term help us to shape future investment by the County Council in local bus services.”
Earlier this year, Stagecoach launched a new ‘Tees Flex’ on demand service in Tees Valley as the result of a successful partnership with the Mayor of Tees Valley, Ben Houchen. ViaVan also provides the technology to power the Tees Flex service.
Chris Snyder, ViaVan CEO added: “We are proud to work with Stagecoach to quickly launch Stagecoach Connect during the COVID-19 pandemic, and to leverage our flexible digital platform to help our partners rapidly introduce and scale mobility solutions for essential workers.
“With the future of public transport in the United Kingdom at a crossroads in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis, cities today have an unprecedented opportunity to employ technology to make public transit work safely and efficiently while creating digitally-driven solutions that ensure affordable and equitable access for all.”
ENDS
Contact Information
Emma Knight
emma.knight@stagecoachgroup.com
Stagecoach
- Stagecoach is one of Britain's leading public transport businesses, helping connect communities for 40 years.
- Our team of 24,000 people and our 8,300 buses, coaches and trams are part of the fabric of daily life in England, Scotland and Wales.
- We connect people with jobs, skills and training, bring customers to our high streets, connect tourists with visitor attractions, and draw families, friends and communities together.
- Stagecoach is Britain's biggest bus and coach operator. We run megabus, the market-leading value coach operator, and Scottish Citylink, which connects 200 locations across Scotland. In Sheffield, we also operate the Supertram light rail network.
- We are proud to serve communities in major cities including London, Manchester, Liverpool, Newcastle, Hull, Sheffield, Oxford and Cambridge, as well as rural locations from the Highlands and Islands of Scotland to Wales and south-west England.
- Our impact is about far more than transport - we support the economy, help cut congestion on our roads, protect our environment and air quality, boost safety on our roads, and contribute to a healthier nation.
Notes to editors
About ViaVan:
ViaVan is the leading provider of innovative on-demand shared transit services in Europe. ViaVan was founded in 2017 as a joint venture between Via, the world’s most sophisticated developer of dynamic shared ride technology, and Mercedes-Benz Vans, the leading manufacturer of iconic passenger and cargo vans. Working closely with cities and public transit operators, ViaVan powers dynamic mobility services that complement existing transportation infrastructure. ViaVan operates direct-to-consumer services and on-demand services in partnership with major public transit authorities, including the BerlKönig with Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe (BVG). Through their partnership, Mercedes-Benz Vans and Via are also collaborating on the development of advanced mobility solutions, from sensor technology, to electric vehicle fleet management, to autonomous driving. With more than 100 launched and pending deployments in 20 countries, Via and ViaVan have provided more than 80 million rides to date. For more information, visit www.viavan.com.
