It is great pleasure and pride that we announce WeMove helped launched WESTlink in April 2023. WESTlink is the largest DRT service in the UK with 30 buses running on flexible routes across the region of North Somerset. The 16-seater, green buses allow passengers to get off at over 1800 existing bus stops as well as new virtual stops. The buses plot new optimal routes every time depending on where people need to be picked up from along the way.

The semi-rural areas in large parts of North Somerset were faced with an issue as on the one hand, large double decker buses were not being filled to capacity, yet bus cuts would leave large populations of the rural region cut off from public transport routes all together. There was also no bus service to the Bristol airport. The local authorities also were seeking a sustainable alternative as in the area 60% of trips to work were in single-occupancy cars and thus North Somerset wanted to promote an environmentally friendly alternative. The WESTlink service hopes to link up people in remote areas by offering them DRT minibuses that transport them to mainline transport buses and other transport hubs.

WESTlink is offering affordable and user-friendly on-demand transport to the West of England. This service is a benefit as it offers greater flexibility and harnesses the power of technology to allow people to have a bus ready at the click of a button. Booking is convenient and can be done through the app, website or by phoning the call centre. The WESTlink minibuses also offer customers a faster travel time that is almost as quick as self-driving, compared to regular mainline transport. The 16- seater buses are also wheelchair friendly, with enthusiastic and knowledgeable drivers.

In the coming months, we are eager to watch the growth of WESTlink as a prime example of the power and potential of DRT for improving transport in the UK.