{"data":{"title":"Demand Responsive Transport: Welcome Guidance - and the Hard Truths Behind Making It Work","error":200,"cached_at":"2026-02-20T05:36:45.884402Z","language":"default","cdn_url":"https://frisbee-cdn.fra1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com","team_id":9,"slug":"news/drt-welcome-guidance","description":null,"published":"2026-02-16 15:27:00","content_type":{"id":19,"team_id":9,"name":"News Page","label":"News Page","slug":"news","config":{"sections":[{"name":"Post","description":null,"displayable":true,"fixed_content":[{"name":"Title","type":"text-input","label":null,"description":null},{"name":"Author","type":"text-input","label":null,"description":null}],"allowed_content":[]},{"name":"Free Content","description":null,"displayable":true,"fixed_content":[],"allowed_content":["image","html","wysiwyg","gallery","video"]},{"name":"Downloads","description":null,"displayable":true,"fixed_content":[{"name":"Item 1 Name","type":"text-input","label":null,"description":null},{"name":"Item 1 Download Link","type":"text-input","label":null,"description":null},{"name":"Item 2 Name","type":"text-input","label":null,"description":null},{"name":"Item 2 Download Link","type":"text-input","label":null,"description":null},{"name":"Item 3 Name","type":"text-input","label":null,"description":null},{"name":"Item 3 Download Link","type":"text-input","label":null,"description":null},{"name":"Item 4 Name","type":"text-input","label":null,"description":null},{"name":"Item 4 Download Link","type":"text-input","label":null,"description":null},{"name":"Item 5 Name","type":"text-input","label":null,"description":null},{"name":"Item 5 Download Link","type":"text-input","label":null,"description":null},{"name":"Item 6 Name","type":"text-input","label":null,"description":null},{"name":"Item 6 Download Link","type":"text-input","label":null,"description":null}],"allowed_content":[]},{"name":"Read Next","description":null,"displayable":true,"fixed_content":[{"name":"Title","type":"text-input","label":null,"description":null}],"allowed_content":[]}],"allowed_meta":[],"extra_headers":[],"allowed_content_types":[]},"created_at":"2023-05-11T13:32:35.000000Z","updated_at":"2023-06-21T10:54:23.000000Z"},"content_version":{"id":"65748c25-de46-479d-b1ce-b9eaf39801ba","name":null,"content_id":"310b25fc-575a-4059-954a-8246486242b3","body":{"sections":[{"name":"Post","order":0,"contents":[{"body":"Demand Responsive Transport: Welcome Guidance - and the Hard Truths Behind Making It Work","meta":[],"type":"text-input","fixed":true,"order":0,"title":"Title"},{"body":"Sam Hunt, General Manager at WeMove","meta":[],"type":"text-input","fixed":true,"order":0,"title":"Author"}],"displayed":true},{"name":"Free Content","order":0,"contents":[{"body":"U8fE1771514700_V2VNb3ZlIFJlc3BvbnNlIC0gQmxvZyBCYW5uZXIuanBn.jpg","meta":{"image_variants":{"lg":"1000_tX451771514701_V2VNb3ZlIFJlc3BvbnNlIC0gQmxvZyBCYW5uZXIuanBn.jpg","sm":"500_JzOc1771514701_V2VNb3ZlIFJlc3BvbnNlIC0gQmxvZyBCYW5uZXIuanBn.jpg","med":"800_6Uzt1771514701_V2VNb3ZlIFJlc3BvbnNlIC0gQmxvZyBCYW5uZXIuanBn.jpg"},"original_image_variants":{"lg":"1000_tX451771514701_V2VNb3ZlIFJlc3BvbnNlIC0gQmxvZyBCYW5uZXIuanBn.jpg","sm":"500_JzOc1771514701_V2VNb3ZlIFJlc3BvbnNlIC0gQmxvZyBCYW5uZXIuanBn.jpg","med":"800_6Uzt1771514701_V2VNb3ZlIFJlc3BvbnNlIC0gQmxvZyBCYW5uZXIuanBn.jpg"}},"type":"image","fixed":false,"order":1,"title":"Image-1771514679725-tArcr","dataIndex":0,"contentIndex":0},{"body":"

The Department for Transport’s new guidance on Demand Responsive Transport (DRT) is a genuinely welcome step forward. It brings much-needed clarity to a space that has often been characterised by hype at one extreme and scepticism at the other.

What the guidance does well is reset expectations. It treats DRT not as a magic fix, but as a tool - one that can deliver real value when designed with care, run with discipline, and aligned to clear local objectives. That framing closely reflects what we see on the ground at WeMove.

Purpose before platforms

One of the most important messages in the guidance is deceptively simple: start with the problem you’re trying to solve.

In our experience, the strongest WeMove services are those with a clearly defined role in the wider transport system. For example, where DRT is positioned as a feeder into rail stations or high-frequency bus corridors, we consistently see better utilisation, more shared trips, and stronger passenger satisfaction. Passengers understand what the service is for and just as importantly, what it isn’t.

Where services struggle, it’s rarely because of the technology. It’s usually because the service has been asked to do too many things at once: replacing withdrawn routes, competing with private car use, and acting as a taxi alternative - all within a single operating model. The guidance is right to caution against that.

Integration is the difference between novelty and network

The report rightly stresses that DRT should complement, not undermine, fixed-route services. From our perspective, integration is the single biggest differentiator between pilots that stall and services that mature.

Across WeMove operations, services that are timetabled around rail arrivals, aligned with existing fare structures, or clearly branded as part of the local transport offer see far stronger repeat use. DRT works best when it feels like public transport and not a separate experiment running alongside it.

One thing the guidance touches on, but perhaps understates, is the importance of information integration. If passengers can’t easily understand how DRT fits into their journey (especially when things go wrong) confidence drops quickly. Clear comms and simple rules matter as much as clever routing algorithms.

Commercial realism, social value

We strongly welcome the guidance’s honesty on funding. Most DRT schemes, particularly in rural or low-density areas, will not be commercially profitable and pretending otherwise has done the sector no favours.

In WeMove’s experience, the healthiest conversations with local authorities are those that acknowledge this upfront and instead focus on outcomes: access to jobs, healthcare, education, and reduced isolation. When success is defined clearly, value for money becomes easier to evidence and defend.

That said, subsidy should never mean complacency. The emphasis on metrics such as empty running, passenger aggregation, and unmet demand reflects the realities operators manage daily. What matters is using those metrics intelligently - understanding why they move, not just whether they do.

Inclusion needs operational backing

The guidance is strong on accessibility and inclusion, particularly around avoiding digital-only booking. That’s absolutely right - but inclusion lives or dies in day-to-day operations.

We see this first-hand. Services with well-trained drivers, responsive call centres, and flexibility for passengers who need a bit more time or support consistently outperform those that treat accessibility as a compliance exercise. Inclusion isn’t just about vehicles or apps - it’s about culture, training and trust.

DRT is not “set and forget”

Perhaps the most important (and most realistic) message in the guidance is that DRT does not run itself.

Successful WeMove services evolve continuously; zones are refined, operating hours shift, booking rules are tightened or relaxed, demand patterns change with seasons, fuel prices, and wider network changes. Authorities that build in time, resource, and governance for that ongoing evolution are the ones that see long-term stability.

This is where partnerships matter most. Early collaboration between authorities, operators, and technology providers - with open data sharing and aligned incentives - makes adaptation faster and less painful.

A few hard truths worth saying out loud

Beyond the guidance, there are a few lessons we think the sector needs to be more honest about:

DRT cannot fix structural underfunding of local transport - it can only mitigate it.
Smaller zones often outperform bigger ones, even if the bigger map looks more politically attractive.
Over-promising kills trust faster than under-delivering modestly.
Community engagement doesn’t end at launch - it needs to be continuous.

Turning guidance into delivery

The DfT guidance won’t make DRT easy - but it does make it clearer. It provides a sensible framework that reflects many of the lessons learned over the past decade.

The real challenge now is delivery: designing services with purpose, resourcing them properly, and committing to continuous improvement. When that happens, DRT can play a meaningful and lasting role in connecting communities and strengthening local transport networks.

At WeMove, we’re encouraged by the direction of travel - and ready to help turn good guidance into services that actually work for the people who rely on them.

If you’re exploring how Demand Responsive Transport could work in your area, whether through early feasibility studies, service design, or operational guidance, the WeMove team would be happy to share our experience and help you shape a solution that fits your local needs.

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Sam Hunt, GM at WeMove, breaks down the latest DfT guidance, exploring the balance between commercial realism, social value, and the hard truths of operational success in local transport.","preview_description":"The realities of making Demand Responsive Transport (DRT) work."},"published":"2026-02-16 15:27:00","locked_at":null,"locked_by":null,"created_at":"2026-02-19T15:24:02.000000Z","updated_at":"2026-02-19T15:49:47.000000Z","tags":[{"id":16,"team_id":9,"name":"wemove","created_at":"2023-06-15T10:22:38.000000Z","updated_at":"2023-06-15T10:22:38.000000Z","pivot":{"content_id":"310b25fc-575a-4059-954a-8246486242b3","tag_id":16}},{"id":17,"team_id":9,"name":"drt","created_at":"2023-06-15T10:22:57.000000Z","updated_at":"2023-06-15T10:22:57.000000Z","pivot":{"content_id":"310b25fc-575a-4059-954a-8246486242b3","tag_id":17}}],"content_version":{"id":"65748c25-de46-479d-b1ce-b9eaf39801ba","name":null,"content_id":"310b25fc-575a-4059-954a-8246486242b3","body":{"sections":[{"name":"Post","order":0,"contents":[{"body":"Demand Responsive Transport: Welcome Guidance - and the Hard Truths Behind Making It Work","meta":[],"type":"text-input","fixed":true,"order":0,"title":"Title"},{"body":"Sam Hunt, General Manager at WeMove","meta":[],"type":"text-input","fixed":true,"order":0,"title":"Author"}],"displayed":true},{"name":"Free Content","order":0,"contents":[{"body":"U8fE1771514700_V2VNb3ZlIFJlc3BvbnNlIC0gQmxvZyBCYW5uZXIuanBn.jpg","meta":{"image_variants":{"lg":"1000_tX451771514701_V2VNb3ZlIFJlc3BvbnNlIC0gQmxvZyBCYW5uZXIuanBn.jpg","sm":"500_JzOc1771514701_V2VNb3ZlIFJlc3BvbnNlIC0gQmxvZyBCYW5uZXIuanBn.jpg","med":"800_6Uzt1771514701_V2VNb3ZlIFJlc3BvbnNlIC0gQmxvZyBCYW5uZXIuanBn.jpg"},"original_image_variants":{"lg":"1000_tX451771514701_V2VNb3ZlIFJlc3BvbnNlIC0gQmxvZyBCYW5uZXIuanBn.jpg","sm":"500_JzOc1771514701_V2VNb3ZlIFJlc3BvbnNlIC0gQmxvZyBCYW5uZXIuanBn.jpg","med":"800_6Uzt1771514701_V2VNb3ZlIFJlc3BvbnNlIC0gQmxvZyBCYW5uZXIuanBn.jpg"}},"type":"image","fixed":false,"order":1,"title":"Image-1771514679725-tArcr","dataIndex":0,"contentIndex":0},{"body":"

Purpose before platforms

One of the most important messages in the guidance is deceptively simple: start with the problem you’re trying to solve.

Integration is the difference between novelty and network

Commercial realism, social value

Inclusion needs operational backing

The guidance is strong on accessibility and inclusion, particularly around avoiding digital-only booking. That’s absolutely right - but inclusion lives or dies in day-to-day operations.

DRT is not “set and forget”

Perhaps the most important (and most realistic) message in the guidance is that DRT does not run itself.

A few hard truths worth saying out loud

Beyond the guidance, there are a few lessons we think the sector needs to be more honest about:

DRT cannot fix structural underfunding of local transport - it can only mitigate it.
Smaller zones often outperform bigger ones, even if the bigger map looks more politically attractive.
Over-promising kills trust faster than under-delivering modestly.
Community engagement doesn’t end at launch - it needs to be continuous.

Turning guidance into delivery

The DfT guidance won’t make DRT easy - but it does make it clearer. It provides a sensible framework that reflects many of the lessons learned over the past decade.

At WeMove, we’re encouraged by the direction of travel - and ready to help turn good guidance into services that actually work for the people who rely on them.

Across the UK, local authorities are facing a familiar challenge: the rising cost of home-to-school and SEND transport. Demand is increasing, budgets are under pressure and operators are struggling to recruit and retain the right vehicles and staff.

Yet, every day - after the morning school runs are complete - thousands of minibuses, wheelchair-accessible vehicles and MPVs sit parked up for hours. These same vehicles could be providing valuable community mobility, supporting public transport gaps, or powering digital demand responsive transport (DDRT). Instead, most remain locked into siloed contracts, waiting for the afternoon bell.

What if that didn’t have to be the case?

What if the school fleet could also be the community fleet, the healthcare fleet, the evening mobility fleet, all enabled through the right technology, the right procurement design and the right operational approach?

This is the future WeMove is pushing for.

A New Way of Thinking About Local Transport

Traditionally, school transport, SEND services, and DRT have been procured separately. Different budgets, different departments, different operators, different technologies. The result? A fragmented and often inefficient ecosystem where:

Vehicles run at peak times but sit idle for long periods.
Councils unknowingly pay for two fleets that could have been one.
Passengers with additional needs receive brilliant care—yet the rest of the community struggles with declining supported bus services.
Operators are stretched thin across multiple contracts, platforms, and compliance frameworks.

But when you zoom out, these services all share a common foundation: the need for safe, reliable, flexible transport delivered by trained drivers. And that opens the door to a smarter model.

The Role of Technology: Turning One Fleet into Many

The magic ingredient that makes this possible is technology—but not just any technology. To blend sensitive school transport with public DRT, the digital platform must be intelligent, safe, and deeply configurable. Imagine a single system that:

1. Adapts to the rhythm of the day:

In the morning, a vehicle is locked into a SEND / H2S route with escort matching, safeguarding controls, and strict timetables. By 10am, it automatically transitions onto the DDRT network, available for public bookings, healthcare trips, assisted travel, or community rides.

2. Enforces safeguarding by design:

Carrying a vulnerable child? The system will ensure the vehicle cannot accept general public bookings.
Is an escort required? The driver and escort must both be assigned before the vehicle can depart.
Does the passenger use a wheelchair? The platform applies all relevant constraints during scheduling.

3. Keeps the control centre in full view:

Live vehicle tracking, driver behaviour monitoring, incident reporting, pre and post trip vehicle checks—everything happens in one place. A school manager, a DRT controller, and a council transport team can all see what they need, without compromising on confidentiality.

4. Dynamically schedules mixed operations:

For example:

A vehicle drops children at school at 8:45am
It is automatically released into the DDRT area by 9am
It completes six community rides
It returns to school duties at 2:45pm
And returns to DRT after the PM school trips.

All achieved through automated dispatching and smart capacity rules. Technology enables this transition from a “fixed single-purpose fleet” to an agile, multipurpose fleet.

Procurement: Building Flexibility Into the Contract

Even the smartest technology won’t unlock cross-utilisation if procurement frameworks keep services locked in separate boxes. The shift begins by designing tenders around flexibility, not segmentation:

Instead of procuring two fleets, procure one shared resource. Define a pool of vehicles that can switch between functions, with clear conditions and KPIs.
Focus on outcomes, not rigid inputs. Measures could include:\n
- On-time performance for school services
- Vehicle availability for DDRT during offpeak times
- Fleet utilisation percentages
- Customer satisfaction across all rider groups
\n
Share budget lines between departments. SEND, education, and transport teams can all benefit—why pay separately for services that naturally complement each other?
Require integrated technology. The tender should insist on platforms capable of mixed-use scheduling, safeguarding control, and unified reporting.

With the right procurement structure, councils can finally align incentives so operators are rewarded for delivering value, not just mileage.

Operational Delivery: Where the Model Comes to Life

Mixed-use fleets succeed or fail based on operational excellence. That means:

Specialist driver training

Drivers must be confident supporting SEND passengers, following strict safeguarding protocols, and then switching to general-public service models later in the day.

A centralised control hub

One WeMove operations centre overseeing:

Morning school dispatch
Midday DRT rides
Afternoon SEND pickups
Evening community travel

A smart blend of vehicle types

Some vehicles remain dedicated to high-needs SEND passengers. Others shift between service types depending on the hour.

Continuous safety and compliance checks

After the school run, drivers complete:

Interior checks
Cleanliness checks
Left-belongings inspections
Vehicle readiness checks

Only then can the vehicle re-enter the DRT network. This operational rhythm makes it possible to run a mixed fleet without compromising on the safety, dignity, and comfort of SEND passengers.

Why This Matters: The Benefits Are Too Big to Ignore

Local authorities that have explored or adopted crossutilisation models report consistent gains:

Significant Cost Savings: Some councils can see 10–30% reduction in fleet and contract spending simply by using one set of vehicles instead of two.
Higher Fleet Utilisation: A vehicle that once operated for 3 hours a day now delivers value for 10–12 hours.
Better Transport for Everyone: More trips become available for:\n
- Elderly passengers
- Isolated rural communities
- People with mobility needs
- Patients attending appointments
- Jobseekers
- Evening travellers
\n
Lower Emissions: Fewer vehicles, used more efficiently, means a meaningful reduction in carbon output.
No Compromise on School Transport Quality: Cross-utilisation is built around protecting school and SEND services—not diluting them.

A Glimpse Into the Future of Local Mobility

As technology evolves and pressures on public finances grow, more councils will look for smarter ways to stretch their transport budgets further. A world where:

H2S and SEND vehicles support accessibility for everyone,
School fleets strengthen community mobility,
DRT services fill the gaps of shrinking bus networks,
Operators deliver consistent quality across all service types,
And technology keeps everything safe, efficient, and optimised is not only possible, but increasingly essential.

Cross-utilisation isn’t a cost-cutting tactic, it’s a visionary approach to building sustainable, inclusive, futureproof local transport.

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Across the UK, local authorities face growing pressure to deliver efficient, safe and cost effective transport for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Yet the systems that underpin procurement and contracting are often fragmented, manual, and slow to adapt — creating unnecessary complexity for councils already managing tight budgets and rising demand.

It’s time to rethink how SEND transport is planned, procured and monitored — and how smarter use of data and automation can unlock both efficiency and better outcomes.

The Problem: Complexity Without Connection

SEND transport is uniquely complex. Each child may require specific support — from wheelchair-accessible vehicles and passenger assistants to bespoke pickup times and safeguarding measures. Contracts are often awarded through Dynamic Purchasing Systems (DPS) or framework agreements, meaning a single council can manage hundreds of active operators, vehicles, and routes, each with their own pricing models and compliance requirements.

Procurement teams are expected to keep track of all this while ensuring fairness, transparency, and value for money. Yet too often, they rely on spreadsheets, email trails, and disconnected databases that don’t talk to each other.

This fragmentation leads to common problems:

Duplicate data entry between transport, finance, and procurement systems
Slow contract approvals and inconsistent documentation
Limited visibility over supplier performance and compliance status
Difficulty forecasting costs or demonstrating value
Manual statutory reporting that drains officer time and introduces risk

The result is a system that’s reactive rather than proactive — focused on firefighting daily issues instead of optimising long-term performance.

The Opportunity: Connecting Data and Decisions

The answer lies in creating a single, connected view of the transport service — one that brings together procurement, contracting, operations, and finance.

When every contract, operator, vehicle, and journey is linked within a shared data model, authorities can move from administration to analysis. Procurement decisions are informed by live performance metrics rather than historic averages. Officers can see, in real time, which suppliers deliver consistently, which routes drive the highest costs, and where efficiencies can be made.

In practice, this means:

Procurement cycles that are faster and more transparent, because contract data flows automatically from award to delivery.
Compliance checks built into daily workflows, ensuring only approved drivers and vehicles are deployed.
Automated financial reconciliation, aligning invoices to verified journeys and agreed pricing models.
Evidence-based contract renewal decisions, supported by real-time performance data.

By connecting data at every stage, councils can dramatically reduce administrative overheads while improving service quality and accountability.

The Power of Automation and Insight

Automation can remove many of the barriers that make SEND procurement so resourceintensive. Instead of manually compiling cost reports or compliance spreadsheets, councils can define rules and workflows that handle repetitive tasks automatically — such as alerting officers when a supplier’s insurance is due to expire, or distributing monthly cost variance reports to finance teams.

Meanwhile, analytics tools turn raw data into insight. Visual dashboards can reveal trends in punctuality, cost-per-passenger or vehicle utilisation. Predictive forecasting can flag potential overspend or underperformance before it happens.

These insights don’t just make reporting easier — they enable smarter commissioning and better use of public funds.

Building for Transparency and Trust

Efficiency is not just about saving time or money. In SEND transport, it’s about trust — from parents, schools, and the children who depend on these services.

By digitising procurement and contracting processes, councils can provide clearer accountability. Every route change, contract variation, or cost adjustment is recorded and traceable. Auditready reporting builds confidence among stakeholders and regulators alike.

Transparent systems also encourage stronger partnerships with operators, who can see their performance data, understand expectations, and work collaboratively with councils to improve.

Looking Ahead: Smarter Procurement for Smarter Transport

The next stage of progress in SEND transport isn’t about doing more with less — it’s about doing things differently.

By integrating procurement, contracting, compliance and reporting into a single, intelligent process, local authorities can free their teams from manual tasks and focus on what really matters: delivering safe, reliable, and sustainable journeys for every child who needs them.

The technology to do this already exists. What’s needed now is a shift in mindset — to see data not as a byproduct of transport operations, but as the foundation of smarter, fairer, and more efficient public services.

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Every morning across the UK, thousands of children and young people with special educational needs (SEND) rely on safe, consistent transport to school. For families, this is more than just a bus ride — it’s peace of mind. For councils, it’s a vital service that also represents a huge line in the budget.

And yet, many SEND transport services are still planned the same way they were 20 years ago: with Excel spreadsheets, phone calls, and manual guesswork.

The result?

Journeys that cost more than they should.
Vehicles sitting idle half the day.
Taxis dispatched even when a child isn’t travelling.
Parents left in the dark about where their child’s vehicle is.

It doesn’t have to be this way.

From Spreadsheets to Smart Planning

At WeMove, we help councils move beyond spreadsheets by digitising their transport operations. Our algorithms plan routes more efficiently, making better use of vehicles and drivers while cutting costs.

But the real breakthrough comes when technology connects families and operators in real time. With our parent and rider apps, families can cancel a journey with a tap — which means a vehicle isn’t sent unnecessarily. That saves councils money, reduces emissions, and builds trust with parents who know their needs are being heard

A Modular Approach That Fits Every Council

We know no two councils are the same, so we’ve built our service to be fully modular:

Technology Only – Route planning, live tracking, compliance, and reporting.
Technology + Operations – Our in-house drivers and vehicles, trained to the highest SEND standards.
Technology + Operations + Integrations – Extra resilience with Uber and iCabbi integrations for overflow or emergency cover.

Whether you need a digital platform, a fully managed service, or a hybrid, WeMove adapts to your requirements.

Care Through People, Powered by Tech

Technology only works if it’s built around care. That’s why our drivers and passenger assistants are specially trained in SEND support, safeguarding, and customer care. Routes are consistent, so families and children see the same familiar faces every day.

Behind the scenes, our DrivenPeople compliance suite gives councils full oversight of drivers and vehicles — from weekly licence checks to biometric logins.

It’s the perfect blend of people and technology.

Building the Future of SEND Transport

SEND transport is too important to be left to outdated tools. Families deserve reassurance, councils deserve efficiency, and children deserve care.

At WeMove, we’re proud to be helping councils across the UK deliver smarter routes and better care — one journey at a time.

Want to see how WeMove can transform your SEND transport? Contact us today.

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At WeMove, we believe that Demand Responsive Transport (DRT) should be a community asset.

That’s why, beyond just operating DRT services, we proactively engage with local businesses, charities, and community groups to amplify the impact of DRT.

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A Real Example: Tiger On-Demand and Ely Job Centre

Last week, our General Manager Sam attended a meeting of work coaches at the Ely Job Centre as a guest speaker. His goal? To explain how Tiger On-Demand works in the local zones and how it can help job seekers travel to interviews, training sessions, or new employment opportunities.

By equipping work coaches with the tools and knowledge to guide their clients, we’ve created a new avenue of social value while helping people get back into work through accessible, affordable transport.

This is the power of DRT when it's backed by a management team that cares.

When WeMove is chosen to manage a DRT service, we don’t just run vehicles, we build awareness, forge partnerships, and create initiatives that serve the people who need it most. Our focus is always on increasing ridership, unlocking social mobility, and making public-funded transport services more impactful.

Whether it’s working with:

Charities supporting vulnerable residents
Businesses looking to improve employee access
Community groups tackling isolation
Or job centres supporting economic growth

…we’re here to make DRT work for everyone.

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Ready to Deliver for Your Area

If you're a local authority considering how to maximise the success and social value of your DRT service, WeMove is your ideal delivery partner. We’re experienced, community-focused, and committed to going above and beyond to make public transport reach further.

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As the landscape of public transport evolves, councils are increasingly turning to Demand Responsive Transport (DRT) to fill the gaps left by traditional fixed-route services. But the success of DRT hinges on one key factor: flexibility.At WeMove, we’ve built our entire service model around flexibility—offering councils a smarter, more adaptable way to deliver public transport. Here's how:

A Multi-Operator Model for Smarter Scaling

WeMove doesn’t believe in putting all your transport eggs in one basket. Instead, we work with a network of vetted local and national operators, giving councils access to a broader pool of vehicles, drivers, and geographic knowledge.

Benefits:

Rapid scalability in response to demand changes.
Built-in resilience to reduce service disruption.
Local operator knowledge for more efficient routes and better passenger experiences.

Whether it’s a rural parish route or an urban fringe zone, our model ensures the right operator is always in place.

Mixed Fleets: The Right Vehicle, Every Time

Rather than sticking with a single vehicle type, WeMove builds bespoke fleet plans for each contract. That includes:

Accessible minibuses for schools and healthcare journeys,
Electric vehicles to meet green targets,
Standard MPVs or cars for lightly used routes,
And even larger-capacity buses when demand calls for it.

This allows councils to match service supply with passenger demand—efficiently and cost-effectively.

Flexible Integration with Fixed Routes

We don’t believe in replacing fixed routes for the sake of it. Instead, WeMove offers a blended approach, where DRT and traditional services complement each other.

Examples include:

Maintaining school or commuter-time fixed routes.
Running flexible services in off-peak hours.
Embedding ‘virtual fixed routes’ in the app to maintain predictability for users.

This hybrid approach means greater efficiency without sacrificing reliability.

Backed by a Skilled, Hands-On Team

Technology is only part of the equation. Our strength lies in our people—from transport planners to live operations staff. We provide:

24/7 customer service and call centre support, trained in safeguarding and accessibility.
Live incident management for real-time interventions.
Ongoing data analysis to optimise performance and reduce operational costs.
A genuine partnership approach—we work with councils, not just for them.

Ready to Deliver Flexible, Future-Proof Transport?

WeMove empowers councils to:

Expand public transport into previously underserved areas.
Make smarter use of budget through targeted, flexible delivery.
Build inclusive, accessible networks that truly serve every resident.

If you’re exploring DRT—or want to evolve your existing service—now’s the time to talk.

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