'On-demand' bus service launched in Tarragona town

Due to be piloted in July, the service – launched by the town council of La Bisbal del Penedès, Tarragona province – guarantees maximum waiting times of 45 minutes and is summoned by mobile phone or tablet.

Would-be passengers put in a 'bus request' and are notified immediately of their nearest pick-up point and when the coach will arrive, or approximate waiting times.

Although 45 minutes is the maximum, in most cases, given that the town is not large, the bus will be there within a considerably shorter time.

A first for Spain, the service – run by the franchise firm Tunnll – will mean the existing round-town buses, which only operate until 16.00, will be extended.

The last of the 'on-demand' buses will leave at 20.00.

According to mayoress of La Bisbal, Agnès Ferré, the aim is to prevent unnecessary journeys and buses running with practically no passengers, costing money and creating air pollution, and will avoid residents having to use their cars for short journeys because the conventional public transport service does not run to where they wish to travel.

Two buses on demand will be in operation, and Sra Ferré is hoping to drum up support among local retailers and restaurants – giving customers a small discount or money-off vouchers for future shopping if they show a bus ticket with their purchase.

This is a variation on schemes run by other towns across Spain, whereby local retailers give customers discount vouchers towards their car parking fees.

For passengers of the 'on-demand' bus service whose mobiles are not of the smartphone variety – especially elderly users who are less likely to have a mobile at all or are not au fai with 21st-century technology – Tunnll says buses can be requested by telephone via a call centre.

Photograph: A bus in Tarragona provincial capital (picture by Tarragona city hall)