Guildford residents will soon have the chance to try out a new, dedicated town centre transport service as part of a six month trial starting on 20 October.

The Council’s Executive has decided to create a new service to facilitate travel in the town centre and to help people who might formerly have used the town Shuttle Bus.

The new Town Rider is a flexible service which aims to help people of any age group with reduced mobility and anybody over 60 to get around town. The service is also available to anyone with learning difficulties or mental health problems.
 
The bus will operate between 9.30am and 4pm Monday to Friday. It will transport eligible residents and visitors around the town centre area, within the area shown on the operating zone map [PDF] (341k), between their preferred pick up and drop off points including popular locations such as:

• Guildford railway station main entrance
• Guildford bus station
• Guildford Post Office and Library
• Mount Alvernia Hospital
• the top and bottom of the High Street, Castle Street, Tunsgate and Sydenham Road.

Drivers are specially trained to help those with mobility problems on and off the bus and will also carry shopping on board for those who need an extra helping hand.

How to book a ride?
Passengers just need to register once to use the service. Both Guildford Borough residents and visitors can register. The Executive has made registration free during the six month trial (although a modest charge is normally made).
Once registered, passengers can:

• pre-book journeys up to 4pm for journeys the following morning or up to midday on the day of travel for afternoon journeys
• book a pick up time direct with the driver on the day
• arrange repeat bookings for regular travel such as a weekly shopping trip.

If you are in town and wish to make a booking for the same day in person, you can also use the Tourist Information Centre in Tunsgate.  Passengers pay the driver £1 for the first journey taken on any day and then only 50p for any subsequent journey taken on the same day. 

Registration and bookings for the service will start on 13 October. Anyone interested should ring 01483 458 052 for more details and a registration form.

The service will operate for a trial period starting 20 October and will be reviewed following consultation in the New Year.

Cllr Jenny Wicks, Lead Councillor for Environment comments, “We are introducing the Guildford Town Rider service as promised to help those who need a little help to travel within the town centre, especially in coping with the hills.

Our new Town Rider covers a wider geographical area than the Shuttle bus but also offers greater flexibility on pick up and drop off points - including to Mount Alvernia Hospital - which residents have requested.

We also have the agreement in principle of Surrey County Council for an additional bus stop for existing commercial bus services in the upper High Street. This will reduce the walk from present bus stops and again make it easier for everyone to use the wide variety of shops and facilities in Guildford Town Centre".

Visit the Town Rider section for more information and to download a registration form.