Sittingbourne’s answer to Uber taxis is being extended to cover Sheppey and Faversham.

The award-winning on-demand ArrivaClick minibus service was launched in March last year.

Using the app, passengers can select pick-up and drop-off points, see the price while booking, pay with a credit or debit card and track where the vehicle is.

And now, anyone with an “unlimited weekly pass” – usually £29 – can use the ticket on Arriva buses and ArrivaClick services.

Lauren Edmonds, marketing manager at Arriva Southern Counties, said: “Following feedback from customers, ArrivaClick and Arriva buses have decided to collaborate to introduce a new ticket deal which makes journeys easier for Swale passengers. We hope this change will prove successful.”

The switch follows an appeal from Minster parish council to extend the scheme to Sheppey as part of its comments on public transport to Kent County Council. The service went on to win a gold medal for innovation in the UK Bus Awards.

Judges said it appealed to young professionals and could be useful in smaller towns and rural areas with little or no bus service.

Oliver Monahan, Arriva’s Kent and Surrey managing director, said at the time: “I’m incredibly proud that Sittingbourne’s transport innovation has received such highly acclaimed national recognition. It reflects what we know about our existing customers who value timeliness and flexibility as well as recognising a shift in consumer and market behaviour.

“People now expect a bespoke service tailored to their needs.

“There are similar ways of travelling on the Continent. We believe there is a demand for this type of service here in the UK, too. This is a totally new way of travelling.

“We hope it will encourage people to try an alternative.”

The service was trialled at £1 a mile between Kent Science Park and Sittingbourne railway station and now takes in Iwade.

Kent Science Park site director Patrick Benham-Crosswell said: “More than a quarter of employees here have used the app, reducing car journeys, congestion and emissions.”

For more details, visit www.arrivabus.co.uk