The 2nd full council meeting under Reform UK leadership, the meeting covered a number of comments and questions related to reports from various committees, The Reform administration move lodge a petition regarding the Malvern Hills Bill, and support the expansion of the Worcestershire on Demand Bus Service.
Petition to block Malvern Hill Trust Bill
The Council has concerns that the bill going through Parliament at Westminster to grant the Malvern Hill Trust additional powers over the control of the Malvern Hill ANOB.
There are concerns that the Bill as currently proposed in not fit for purpose and does not provide residents who pay in addition to their council tax reasonable influence over the decisions made by the Trust.
The County Council has approve the petition against the Malvern Hills Bill, which may be withdrawn if agreement over amendments can be achieved.
Worcestershire on Demand Bus Service
The motion to continue to roll-out the Worcestershire on Demand Bus Service across the county was passed by all county councillors in attendance.
About Worcestershire on Demand
Worcestershire on Demand (WoD) offers an alternative transport option to fixed route public transport services. It helps people make essential local journeys within a defined area, and offers residents and visitors transport within a zoned area and to specific places of interest outside of the zone.
The service can also provide journeys to connecting transport services, such as other local buses or to local train stations.
Worcestershire on Demand allows passengers to book on to the service from an app. Passengers can request transport for a specific time or to arrive at their destination at a specific time and this will give a selection of boarding times available. Transport will collect the passenger from a designated pick-up point and will drop off at the required location. Unlike fixed route bus services, the service is flexible depending on the destinations and collection points.
How does it work?
Passengers will need to download the app via Google Play or the Apple App store. Once registered, passengers can book journeys via the app to other locations within the zone and Places of Interest outside the zone. A branded vehicle picks you up at your request, changing its route as needed so that all passengers who are travelling on the vehicle can get to where they need to go.
Where does the service operate?
Worcestershire County Council has successfully launched ‘Worcestershire on Demand’ in Bromsgrove and is currently piloting a scheme in the district of Malvern Hills. Following the success of these areas, further locations across the county will be piloted to allow the Council to understand better how this type of service could benefit the region.
Due to the success in Bromsgrove, the service will expand on the 12 August to cover North Worcestershire.
How do the 'zones' work?
Journeys can be booked from within the highlighted zone to another destination within that zone. Journeys can also be made to designated places of interest outside of the zone – such as retail parks, hospitals, country parks and train stations. At least one of the journeys needs to be starting or ending within the zone. Journeys can’t be made to ‘Places of Interest’ from outside of the zone.
How much does it cost?
Journeys can be booked up to 5 days in advance.
- each journey costs £2.50
- group booking offers are available (each additional passenger pays £1.25 for a journey)
- under 5-year old's travel free
Take a look for yourself
You can read details of the meeting and watch the webcast of the whole meeting and judge for yourself.