A new bus service operating in the Brigg area will be launching tomorrow (Monday, September 7).
Called JustGo and operated by a transport company based on the North Bank, it is being funded by North Lincolnshire Council.
This is a dial-a-ride 'demand responsive' service - passengers being able to book journeys in advance.
Hours of service will be 7am to 7pm (Monday to Friday) and 8am to 6pm (Saturday), with no buses operating on Sundays.
We understand there will be SIX JustGo buses serving North Lincolnshire.
You must register to use the service and people are being urged to do so NOW; many have already signed up.
Click this link to visit the JustGo website where you can download an app from Google Play and the App Store onto tablets and smartphones.
Sign up for email updates by visiting the JustGo North Lincs website (using the link above) or by following @justgobus on Twitter and Facebook. Bus bookings can also be made by phone. Call 01482 59 29 59.
However, unlike the current Lincolnshire CallConnect buses which have operated in Brigg for some time and accept CASH payments tendered to the driver, JustGo will be different - at least to begin with.
JustGo says: "You will be able to pay securely by debit or credit card within the JustGo North Lincs app or when booking by telephone. Payment cannot be made on the bus or with cash."
Brigg Blog raised this important point with North Lincolnshire Council, asking: "Can you make contactless payments on the bus?"
The council says not at the moment, but this facility "is in development." The timescale for this unclear at present.
"The best way is to pre-pay through the app or via the call centre," the council advises.
Brigg Blog has also sought clarification about the use of concessionary bus passes on the new service.
The council replied as follows...
The card has to be registered through the app by following the following steps:
- About
- Concession
- Concession 100% off
- Take a photo of the card
The concessionary discount is now logged on the account. When booking, if there is more than one passenger set up on the account then you have to select who is travelling (i.e. with the concession or not) but if there are no other passengers then the discount will automatically be applied. If these steps are followed, the charge will show as £0.
MORE ABOUT THE NEW SERVICE
JustGo North Lincs is operated by the Go-Ahead bus company of East Yorkshire. It will be serving all local towns and villages.
Go-Ahead says this service will be funded by North Lincolnshire Council - "providing a sustainable financial model for demand-responsive transport."
The blue Mercedes-Benz mini-buses are clearly marked with the JustGo North Lincs branding. Buses will display a letter on the front – this will match the letter given on your booking confirmation.
The company explains: "With just a tap on the app or a phone call, passengers can request their journey and choose where they get picked up (using local meeting points). The on-demand service enables journeys to families, friends or vital services, and provides a solution for accessing workplaces such as Scunthorpe and Humberside Airport, at times to suit shift patterns and staggered working hours.
"Demand-responsive buses provide a flexible solution for passenger journeys, helping people leave their cars at home and choose an environmentally friendly option.
"This is the third time Go-Ahead has ventured into demand-responsive transport. It follows from a one-year trial in Sutton in conjunction with Transport for London, and a two-year trial in Oxford of the PickMeUp service.
"The fleet of minibuses will follow all social distancing regulations and provide hand sanitiser on board, so passengers feel safe and secure. There will be WiFi and charging points available on every bus."
David Brown, the Go-Ahead Group CEO, said: “It is a great opportunity for us to operate North Lincolnshire Council’s new on-demand bus network. We will be using all the lessons we learned in Oxford and London to build a technology-driven service that will provide convenient journeys and connect communities.”
Go-Ahead describes itself as one of the leading UK public transport operator companies.
More than 1.2 billion passenger journeys are undertaken on its rail and bus services every year...with the Brigg area soon to contribute to this total.
LINCOLNSHIRE'S CALL CONNECT
For the benefit of Brigg Blog followers who live in West Lindsey, such as Caistor, Grasby and North & South Kelsey, please note that the service is continuing but with an amended area. Call 0345 234 3344. Fares cannot be paid for when booking - they are only payable on the bus.
PICTURED ABOVE: One of the new JustGo buses in Brigg prior to the launch. Seen with it are Ben Gilligan, area director, EY Buses; Cllr Julie Reed, cabinet member for connectivity, North Lincolnshire Council; Andrew Percy, MP for Brigg & Goole; Cllr Carl Sherwood, Brigg & Wolds Ward member; Cllr Rob Waltham, Leader and ward member, Brigg and the Wolds, North Lincolnshire Council; Cllr Nigel Sherwood, ward member, Brigg & Wolds. Picture credit: North Lincolnshire Council.
