Forget waiting for the bus - make the bus come when you want, under a new initiative being launched by Arriva.

A new ArrivaClick ride sharing app was rolled out across Ebbsfleet Garden City this week.

It is being launched in partnership and funded by homebuilders Redrow and Henley Camland, landowner of Whitecliffe, formally known as Eastern Quarry and will offer a flexible bus service that can be booked when it's needed.

The service will be available to residents and visitors to the Garden City development, and aims to reduce the need to have a car.

Rides can be booked directly from a smartphone by selecting a pick-up and drop-off location.

Passengers can share the same vehicle, socially-distanced, directing them to a nearby virtual bus stop.

The app will also display the price and time of each journey as well as track your journey, similar to other ride-sharing apps such as Uber.

Fares start from £1 and are based on the trip distance with the service running seven days a week from 6am to 1am, except Sundays when services will stop at midnight.

Adam Toone from Arriva UK Bus, said: “ArrivaClick will enable on demand commuter connectivity like never before, whilst providing the satisfaction of a greener way to travel.”

Ebbsfleet is the fourth region to get the service, with it being introduced in other parts of the country in 2017.

Arriva's new garden city operation replaces the existing 484, 485 and 485A services.

The bus company will provide up to three mini-buses, seating up to 15 people – reduced to six currently to ensure social distancing – with space for push chairs and wheelchair access.

KCC cabinet member for Highways and Transport, Cllr Michael Payne, said: “This new DRT service represents the beginning of an exciting chapter for public transport in Ebbsfleet and the developing Whitecliffe community.

"As well as benefitting the new area of development, I am grateful that the service will also provide the links for existing neighbouring communities.”

The service will operate in Ebbsfleet Green, Whitecliff, Greenhithe, Knockhall, Worcester Park, Swanscombe town centre and Bluewater Shopping Centre.

It also includes Ebbsfleet International Station, Darenth Valley Hospital, Springhead and parts of Northfleet, Northfleet Rail Station, Sainsburys, Springhead Enterprise Park, Northfleet County Park and Manor Business Park.

To celebrate the launch, ArrivaClick is launching a special offer with first ride free and an additional 30% discount for concessionary pass holders who book through the App.

ArrivaClick is available via the App Store and Google Play.

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