PickMeUp completes 140,000 on-demand journeys in first two years in High Wycombe
3 months ago

A one of its kind bus service in High Wycombe that collects and drops off passengers to bespoke destinations on demand is celebrating its second birthday.
Demand responsive transport service PickMeUp was launched by Carousel Buses in 2022, thanks to funding from Buckinghamshire Council via the Government’s Rural Mobility Fund. It enables passengers in High Wycombe to summon minibuses to pick them up at a ‘virtual bus stop’ of their choice, to go to a bespoke destination.
The service is operated by an app which has been downloaded by more than 13,500 users since its launch with more than 140,000 rides completed in the same period.
A fleet of eight vehicles has travelled a combined 768,000km – the equivalent journey of 19 trips around the world’s circumference – across town to meet demand from customers who have left an average rating of 4.8 stars out of five and praised the service’s reliability, punctuality and efficiency.
The three-year pilot programme operates Monday to Friday between 5.30am and 7.30pm to encourage more people to use active modes of transport to travel to help complement traditional bus routes.
Luke Marion, Managing Director of Carousel Buses, said: “To have achieved more than 140,000 journeys in the first two years’ of PickMeUp is a fantastic milestone.
“The adoption of demand responsive transport in High Wycombe has been positive and we have developed the customer base steadily across the period. We’re now encouraging people to continue to support the service as it enters the final year of its pilot scheme.
“We’re pleased to have also received such positive customer feedback for the service which provides people with an innovative and efficient way to travel outside of regular bus routes.
“Demand responsive transport can play a key role helping improve air quality and congestion across the UK in conjunction with traditional bus services and the impact PickMeUp has had in High Wycombe is a shining example of what can be achieved.”
Steven Broadbent, Buckinghamshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport, said: “We’re delighted with the success of the PickMeUp service in High Wycombe. Since its launch in 2022, over 14,000 users have created accounts and an impressive 140,000 rides have been completed.
“With more than 400 active users each week totalling around 1,500 journeys – the service has truly become an integral part of our community’s transport network.
“The consistently high ratings of 4.8/4.9 stars out of 5 reflect the reliability and efficiency of the service, which we have now expanded to run six buses, five days a week, providing an even more flexible and convenient travel option for our residents.
“And it’s worth noting that journeys can be pre-booked up to two weeks in advance – perfect for getting to appointments and leaving the car at home.”
The PickMeUp mobile app is available to download on the Apple App Store and Google Play. Passengers can request a minibus to arrive and transport them to any destination in its operating zone in High Wycombe once an account has been created. The zone extends as far as Wycombe Air Park,
Downley Common, Wooburn Green and Pedestal Roundabout on the West Wycombe Road. Trips on PickMeUp usually cost between £2 and £3.50 based on the distance travelled in line with local bus services.
Ultra-low emission Euro 6 minibuses, with Wi-Fi, USB charging points, wheelchair access and comfortable high-back seating are used to deliver the service.
A telephone booking service is also available for those not able to use a smartphone via 01494 296021. Further information is available online via www.pickmeupwycombe.co.uk.
Carousel Buses is part of Oxford Bus Group, a subsidiary of the Go-Ahead Group. It operates services in High Wycombe and the wider Buckinghamshire area. It also serves locations including Slough in Berkshire, Hemel Hempstead in Hertfordshire and Uxbridge.
Its sister company Oxford Bus Company operated the UK's largest demand responsive service when it piloted PickMeUp in Oxford in 2018 for two years.