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Shared ride-to-work service debuts
A new, shared ride-to-work service has launched in Bristol to offer commuters a low-stress alternative to driving and public transport, the first of its kind in the UK.
Operating initially in North Bristol, Slide Bristol allows customers to book a lift to work from a nearby location at a preferred time during peak commuting hours – 7.30am to 9.30am and 4pm to 7pm, Monday to Friday. Commuters are picked up in brand new, eight-seater vehicles all with WiFi and air conditioning as standard.
The technology offers a convenient pickup point and calculates the optimal route to the passenger’s place of work based on others requesting a similar journey, combining the convenience of a taxi with the shared cost of a bus.
Fares are fixed and do not vary with passenger demand. £7 will get you from Filton to the city centre, one-way, paid via the Slide app.
The service has been developed by international transport operator RATP Dev who already operate services such as Manchester Metrolink and some London bus routes.
CEO Tim Jackson said: “Knowing that Bristol was one of the most congested cities in the United Kingdom, making commuting a difficult experience both for car drivers and bus users, we wanted to develop an alternative bespoke solution.”
A similar service already exists in Paris and the idea is growing. Another company, working name Buxi, plans introduce a similar service in Bristol by the end of the year.
Read more: 8 ways to solve Bristol’s traffic nightmare
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