\nCity of Newcastle, in partnership with Keolis Downer, will trial an \u2018On Demand\u2019 transport service allowing people to book a ride to collect them from a convenient, nearby pick-up point, and take them to a local transport hub or other point of interest in the city.
\n
![\"On](\"http:\/\/www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au\/getattachment\/Council\/News\/Latest-News\/New-On-Demand-transport-service-to-be-trialled-in\/map800.jpg.aspx\" "\\"map800.jpg\\"")
\nNewcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the service would allow people in Newcastle to explore new ways to get around.
\n\u201cThe trial of the On Demand service is just another way Newcastle is forging ahead as a modern and smart city,\u201d the Lord Mayor said.
\n\u201cIt presents a new and flexible way for commuters to make their journey into the city for work and has the potential to remove cars from the city centre opening up more car spaces in and around the city.
\n\u201cThe trial\u2019s aim is to encourage Novocastrians and visitors to take advantage of public transport options in the City. The service area has been designed to support public transport use by including key transport nodes such as Newcastle interchange and Broadmeadow Station.
\n\u201cIt\u2019s a stress-free way to travel to work, head into the city to shop or attend appointments.\u201d
\nTransport on Demand is an emerging alternative to fixed route public transport. It is characterised by users being able to request pick-ups at times of their choosing via an app \u2013 like Uber, but significantly cheaper. It is regarded as a cost-effective way of connecting people to major transport nodes and routes. It uses smaller vehicles and only runs where there is demand.
\nBookings can be made quickly and simply through the Newcastle Transport app with journeys expected to cost a flat fare of $3.20.
\nThree vehicles, two six-passenger cars and a 11-passenger van with wheel-chair access, will be rolled out to service the trial area, taking in the East End, Civic, Market Town and the Newcastle Interchange from places such as Beaumont Street Hamilton, Broadmeadow Station, Merewether, The Junction, Bar Beach, Hamilton South and The Hill.
\nThe On Demand trial supports the City\u2019s long-term planning and ambition for higher levels of public transport patronage and active travel creating a more pedestrian-friendly city centre.
\nThe On Demand Service trial will operate in peak hours between 6.30am-9am and 3.30pm-6pm Monday to Friday, and is expected to kick off by the end of the year and run for 12-months.
\nThis project is part of the City\u2019s award-winning Smart Moves Newcastle program, which received $5 million in grant funding through the Federal Government\u2019s Smart Cities and Suburbs Program.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"