Slide, the innovative shared ride service, has taken on additional vehicles and created new routes as passenger numbers rise in Bristol.
In the three months since it launched, Slide – which chose Bristol as the pilot city – has handled 16,000 thousand miles of shared commuter rides across the city. It now operates eight vehicles around the city. 
From its launch routes taking passengers from the North of Bristol into the city centre, the service has nearly doubled the number on offer.
It now includes Westbury-on-Trym in West Bristol, Fishponds and Frenchay in East Bristol, and Bedminster and Southville in South Bristol. Further new routes are currently being considered, based on areas of demand.
The service allows Bristol commuters to book their ride to and from work using an app. They can arrange a ride in a Slide vehicle in advance or just minutes before the journey they wish to make.
Behind the scenes, the technology then calculates the optimal route to the passenger’s destination based on others requesting a similar journey.
Unlike traditional bus routes, Slide routes are created organically, according to user demand. Passengers will be given a pick-up point a short walk from their starting point and a pick-up time.
Up to eight passengers can travel in a Slide vehicle - all of which have wi-fi and air conditioning – and they will be provided with real time updates on the app along the way.
The cost of a Slide is on average half that of a taxi and just a little more than a bus fare. A single from Filton to the city centre is £7, with shorter distances such as Temple Meads to Clifton £4. The company was this month recognised by TravelWest in its sustainable travel awards.
Slide is operated by RATP Dev UK, part of the large French-owned urban transport group.
CEO Tim Jackson said: “Slide brings yet another alternative means of getting around the city at peak commuter times, alongside the existing bus and train network. It’s also helping to reduce congestion caused by the sheer number of individual car drivers trying to get around, particularly at the moment when there are so many roadworks in operation.
“We are seeing a range of passengers, from those who just see it as a more comfortable commute in peak times to others who use it as more of a treat a couple of times a week.”
Slide is still asking potential passengers to vote for the routes they would like to see the service operating in, to help them decide which areas should be next. To vote go to www.slidebristol.com/vote<http://www.slidebristol.com/vote>.
