WESTlink: Your On-Demand Bus Service in the West of England
WESTlink is a new shared on-demand bus service in the West of England, developed by Via Transportation Inc. It aims to provide convenient transportation options for people who may not have easy access to existing bus routes or rail lines, or in areas where no service currently exists.
With WESTlink, passengers can easily book a seat on the bus through the app. The app plans a route based on the destinations of other passengers, allowing for efficient pick-ups and drop-offs in nearby locations. The service operates without a fixed timetable or route, and bookings can be made 'on demand' or up to a day in advance.
Passengers will be collected and dropped off at both existing bus stops and 'virtual' bus stops. WESTlink also connects passengers to major bus and rail services for their onward journeys, as well as key destination points. The service covers three zones: North, South, and the Future Transport Zone, which encompass the majority of the West of England region, excluding Bristol and Bath city centers.
When booking a ride, WESTlink allocates the most efficient pick-up and drop-off locations based on the start and end destinations of passengers, taking into account route optimization and other user requests. The app also provides the estimated arrival time of the vehicle, eliminating the need to leave home earlier than necessary. Additionally, all passengers have guaranteed seats as they are prebooked.
Ticket prices for WESTlink match fares on West of England buses, and all concessionary passes are accepted. To use the service, users need to create an account, download the WESTlink app, and follow the simple signup steps. By entering their pick-up and drop-off addresses, users can book a ride that works best for them and conveniently meet their designated driver at the specified location.
