Blackbird Leys Community Centre and FriendLeys to offer residents a new PickMeUp

The event will take place in conjunction with FriendLeys, a local community group aiming to reduce isolation and loneliness in the Leys, this Wednesday 3 October from 10:30am to 12:30pm, with free transport to and from the Community Centre.

There will also be a pick-up point at the Clock House, Long Ground at 10:15 am.

Oxford City Council, Oxford Bus Company and Oxfordshire County Council’s Cities 4 People project have worked together to organise the event, which will offer residents the opportunity to learn about and test the new service as well as demonstrations on how to download and use the PickMeUp app to call a bus.

The new service aims to reduce congestion and to ease travel within the east area of the city to compliment traditional transportation, as it is not tied to existing bus routes.

Cheaper than a taxi, the service will operate from 6:30am until 10:30pm Monday to Friday and from 9:00am to 8:00pm at the weekends, with an expected average response time of 10 minutes.

The scheme allows passengers to order a bus to a ‘virtual stop’ on demand, with journeys – matched to others travelling on a similar route – costing £2.50 per ride.

Concessionary pass holders can travel free of charge after 9:00am weekdays and all day at weekends.

Councillor Christine Simm, Board Member for Supporting Local Communities said: “This event has great potential value to the residents of Blackbird Leys, and has the opportunity to make public transport more accessible to those who may have difficulties catching a bus.

“It will also improve access to Cowley Centre and the John Radcliffe Hospital. This is looking to be a very useful event for Blackbird Leys.”