BUS users in Worcestershire are set to be picked up nearer to home thanks to a new FlexiLINK bus service.

Worcestershire County Council plans to launch a new service in July, covering centres in and around the new Worcestershire Royal Hospital, taking in Warndon and County Hall.

Similar services are also being considered for areas around Pershore, Evesham and Ombersley by the end of this year.

An initial service was launched at the beginning of April, between Inkberrow, Feckenham and Redditch by Worcestershire County Council. It also provides links to and from Worcester.

The FlexiLINK service is a flexible service which picks up and drops off passengers at a pre-agreed point near to their own homes.

By ringing a phoneline, passengers can arrange for the bus to divert from its normal route.

Journeys can be booked up to two weeks in advance but normally a call at least 30 minutes before departure will ensure a seat.

There is no set timetable. The current service starts around mid-morning and finishes mid-afternoon depending on meeting customer needs.

Early start

The new service will start much earlier in the day and finish later.

"To date, there are 60 registered users which is a very encouraging start," said Chris Pettifer, passenger transport manager for the council.

"We believe the more people who get to hear about the service and how it works, the more successful it will become."

The idea of FlexiLINK was mooted around 18 months ago, and similar services have been successfully launched in Hampshire, Wiltshire and in the North East of England.

It is operated in partnership with the health authority and the sectors of the business community amongst other organisations.

The FlexiLINK service is funded from a £4.5m grant that the council successfully bid for from central Government funds in 2000.

The Worcestershire County Council service currently runs throughout the week, from Monday to Friday and anyone who wishes to register with the service or find out more should ring 08457 125436.

The Government is currently encouraging major bus companies to embrace the flexible routes idea by offering a rebate of up to 70 per cent off the cost of fuel.

"These changes will mean passengers will benefit from bus services tailored to meet their needs," said Transport Minister John Speller.

"This is important to all those in rural and urban areas whose travel needs are not currently met adequately by conventional bus services."