A new on-demand bus service, which transport bosses hope will help curb Sutton’s heavy car dependency, is launching today.

Launched by Transport for London (TfL) and ViaVan, GoSutton will be trialled across Sutton for the next 12 months starting from May 28.

Customers will be able to request a ride, select where they want to be picked up and dropped off, and pay directly through the app.

GoSutton takes up to 14 people on each bus, all of which have USB charging points and free WiFi on board.

It will operate from 6.30am to 9.30pm, every day of the week, and rides will cost £3.50 per person – with additional passengers costing £2 each in a group booking.

Organisers say all of the GoSutton vehicles are wheelchair accessible, with customers being able to highlight that through the app.

If you have a Freedom Pass then you can ride with GoSutton for free by entering your card number when signing up to the app.

You can also ride for free if you have an English National Concessionary Travel Scheme pass, which can be activated by emailing the support team.

A map of the GoSutton bus stops. Photo: TfL / GoSutton.co.uk

The trial comes as research shows people in Sutton rely heavily on car uses, while public transport networks across the borough have been lamented.

TfL says Sutton’s relatively low housing density and historic developments planned around private transport means it’s “not always been practical” to run a dedicated bus service in certain areas.

The trial aims to see whether adding trials such as this, alongside the existing system, could help tackle high car usage and public transport concerns.

Because this is a limited 12-month trial, the Oyster Card payment system has not been integrated so paying needs to be done via the app.

The services comprises up to eight Mercedes CityLine Low Floor 14-seater vehicles, which will be ULEZ-compliant Eurov VI and wheelchair accessible.

Under-13s can use the service but will need to be accompanied by an adult.

Michael Hurwitz, TfL’s director of transport innovation, said: “We are growing the bus network in outer London, as well as improving the capital’s Tube and rail service, but we also need to innovate and explore new ways of encouraging people out of their cars and onto more sustainable forms of transport.

“This trial will help us determine whether a more flexible, on-demand bus service complementing traditional routes could help us achieve the goal of making our streets better places for everyone.”

Those who don’t have a smartphone can still get on by booking through a phone call or sending an SMS.

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

For more information, visit www.gosutton.co.uk.