Arriva has announced it will be ending ArrivaClick, its on demand bus service in Watford, on 31 December.
Since launching in 2020, the silver ArrivaClick buses have become a familiar sight across Watford and have been building a strong customer base that has welcomed this additional public transport choice for getting out and about around Watford.
However, the impact of rising costs and inflation has meant the service has not attracted the level of customers needed to make it cost-effective for Arriva to run and so the company has taken the difficult decision to end the Watford service.
To support ArrivaClick’s more vulnerable and older customers, Watford Borough Council is looking to introduce an alternative service for two days a week, staring in January 2024. The door-to-door Shopper Bus will support Watford residents get to their local shops, with volunteers helping people carry bags, fetch items, and board on and off the bus.
Elected Mayor, Peter Taylor said: “This news is obviously disappointing, particularly for those who have enjoyed using the service as a convenient and reliable way to travel in Watford. I am pleased we will be starting a new service to help those who need a bit of extra help in getting to and from the shops. This Shopper Bus service has been popular elsewhere in the county and it is good that we are bringing it to Watford.”
ArrivaClick will be letting customers know about the end of the service over the coming weeks and Arriva will be liaising with all current drivers regarding potential alternative opportunities with the company.
The ArrivaClick service was part of the council’s wider ambitions to introduce new ways to travel in Watford to reduce the number of journeys by private car, reduce congestion and improve air quality.
