Essex County Council is announcing the launch of two mobility solutions to help locals travel more sustainably and conveniently. A new Digital Demand Responsive Transport service called DigiGo will allow users to plan shared transport journeys with real-time arrival information. The DigiGo service is booked via the TravelEssex app, a free-to-use travel planning app that makes it easier for users to view all sustainable travel modes across Essex and plan multi-modal journeys. This offering was created in partnership with Moovit, an Intel company and a leading Mobility as a Service solutions provider, powering the technology behind the app and DigiGo service.

The DigiGo service will initially operate within two rural and suburban areas of Essex to provide a more flexible public transport service with shortened wait and walk times. The service will provide easier connection to Essex’s transport interchanges, such as bus and train stations, for onward travel.

Funded by the Department for Transport’s Rural Mobility Fund, the DigiGo services will run for a two-year period, with the learning and development used to inform any potential future rollout of the service to other areas of Essex or the UK. The service will operate between 7am and 10pm, seven days a week (excluding bank holidays).

DigiGo journeys can be booked and paid for through the TravelEssex app. Users can view real-time arrival information and track the vehicle along its route. The service will connect to various points of interest as well as other transport hubs to improve onward travel opportunities.

The DigiGo service, via the TravelEssex app, will: 

• Suggests the most efficient routes: Once a user launches the app and inputs their destination, it will display the most convenient sustainable travel options
• Enables users to book and pay for DigiGo journeys: Users simply select DigiGo if they are within the operating area and follow the prompts for mobile payment
• Directs passengers to a nearby pickup location: Once the journey is booked, passengers are guided to a pickup location within a short walking distance
• Provides passengers with real-time tracking:
  • While waiting for their journey, passengers can track the approaching vehicle in real-time and view its estimated arrival time
  • While on their journey, users can view the route on the map, as well as the estimated time to drop off
• Enables future ride booking: Rides can be booked up to a week in advance

Yovav Meydad, Moovit’s Chief Growth and Marketing Officer said: “Diverse travel needs and demands have evolved with the pandemic, and now most travel is generally more local. We are excited to partner with Essex County Council and bring our global experience to help shape this flexible transport service. I’m sure Essex residents will find it beneficial and convenient, and a complement to traditional forms of public transport.”

Councillor Lee Scott, Cabinet Member for Sustainable Transport added: “We want to see more people travelling sustainably and thinking differently about how they travel, particularly for shorter journeys. To do this we recognise the need to offer choice and flexibility and think about how we work with some of the latest technologies and innovations to attract more people to use new forms of shared public transport services. 

“Working with Moovit over this two-year period, the trial is aiming to provide a service which becomes embedded into local communities, attracting users of all ages and creates a platform to be rolled out into other parts of the county”.  

Councillor Frankie Ricci, Cabinet Member for Communities at Braintree District Council, said: “This is an innovative service which will connect people to our business parks, town centre and hospitals as well as surrounding villages. The new routes will improve transport options for residents and support the growth of local businesses as well as revolutionise the way people get around. It will also help reduce the number of cars on our roads easing congestion and reducing emissions. This is really positive news for residents and businesses in our district.”

The TravelEssex app is powered by Moovit’s White Label App Solution, and the DigiGo service is powered by Moovit’s On-Demand solution.

The TravelEssex app is available to download on the App Store and Google Play.