Demand Responsive Transport 1
About this bus service What is DaRT? Demand Responsive Transport (DaRT) is a special bus service for people who live in the countryside and don t have access to bus stops. You do not need to use fixed timetables. This means you don t have to get on or off at certain stops. Instead you phone up DaRT and ask for a bus ride. It s the same as ordering a taxi. You can plan your journey to go anywhere you want. This applies to the area of Essex you live. 2
They will pick you up from home, or from wherever you want to be picked up from. You can use it; to go shopping go to the Doctors Surgery for an appointment get to work get to school or college 3
What time can I book a journey The bus service starts from 6 o clock in the morning. It ends at 10 o clock in the evening. It runs from Monday to Saturday. There are no services available on a Sunday. 4
How do I book a journey? Telephone Arrow Taxis Essex Ltd on; 01621 874411 You need to tell them the following; Where you would like to go. This is called your destination. Where you would like to be picked up.? What time you need to go. 5
2hr Please let them know at least 2 hours before you need to go. Please remember to book a return journey when you phone Arrow Taxis Essex Ltd. If you don t book a return and ask for one later, you ll have to wait another 2 hours to be picked up. Arrow Taxis Essex Ltd will also need to know; Your name Your home address 6
Your telephone number Any special requirements. This is when you use a wheelchair or have difficulty walking. This also includes trolleys. DaRT buses have access ramps. These help get passengers in wheelchairs onto the bus or taxi. Remember to be ready for the bus when it comes to pick you up. 7
How much will it cost? An adult ticket is for anyone who is 16 or over. A child ticket is for children between 5 and 15 years old. Children under 5 go free. You can use your bus pass after 9 o clock in the morning from Monday to Friday. You can use it all day on Saturday. How can I pay? You can pay on the bus You can also pay by debit or credit card over the telephone. 8
Adult Single ticket Adult Return ticket Distance 2 miles 2.50 3.50 Between 2 and 5 miles 4.50 6.50 Over 5 miles 5.50 8.00 9
Child Single ticket Child Return ticket Distance 2 miles 1.50 2.00 Between 2 and 5 miles 2.50 3.50 Over 5 miles 3.00 4.50 10
Other information What sort of bus do you use? We use a minibus. This has 8 to 16 seats. You ll know it s your bus as it has the DaRT Essex logo on its side. Why do you use minibuses? We pick people up from their houses. Sometimes this means going down side roads or narrow country lanes. Can I travel by myself? Yes. You can use one of our taxis to travel alone. Are guide dogs allowed? Yes. Just make sure they re on a lead. 11
Can my friends and I book to travel as a group? Yes. Just remember to let us know how many people will be travelling in the group. How will trips to hospital appointments work? For a hospital appointment, make sure you book a return journey when you contact us. You can change your return time. 2hr There ll be a 2 hour wait until you re picked up. If I forget to book a return journey but I need one later, will I be charged extra? If you don t buy a return ticket you ll have to buy another single ticket for a return. 12
Can people with a bus pass make a payment to Arrow Taxi Essex Ltd? You can always pay the fare instead of using your bus pass. But if a bus pass is presented free travel must be allowed. If you use your bus pass, the driver will be repaid by Essex County Council. Can a friend or member of my family book a place for me? Yes. 13
Can we use the service to go out for social / leisure activities? Yes. Can I use bus tickets from other services? You can use the Essex Saver ticket. This is a special all day ticket that lets you travel on most buses in Essex. It cannot be used on the Dengie DaRT, Service 99. This goes between Chelmsford and the Maldon district. Lost property If you leave something important on the bus, please contact us as soon as possible. Call 01621 874411 Email: publictransport@essex,gov.uk Or visit www.essex.gov.uk/publictransport 14
Other services If you don t live in the DaRT2 area, there are other services run by Arrow Taxis Essex Ltd. The DaRT1 service runs in the west Uttlesford district. This is the area between Stansted Airport and Saffron Walden. The DaRT3 service runs northeast of Braintree. This is the area surrounding Halstead, Sible Hedingham and Steeple Bumpstead. Contact details You can contact us by phone and email. Call: 0345 603 7631 Email: publictransport@essex.gov.uk Travel Information Team Highways Seax House County Hall Chelmsford CM1 1QH 15 Produced by
16 Map of Route