Stagecoach supports launch of new dedicated demand responsive transport service for NHS

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