A GROUND-breaking transport service is to be launched tomorrow to get people where they want, when they want.

The Wigglybus is a minibus service that operates for most of the time without a set timetable.

It can be pre-ordered by people in local communities in need of transport, whether it is to get to their local GP surgery, visit the shops or any other reason.

City of York Council has joined forces with the local Rural Transport Partnership to get the service operating.

Eight areas to the north of York - Earswick, Haxby, Poppleton, Poppleton Park, Skelton, Strensall, Towthorpe and Wigginton - will benefit from the new service. Passengers will be able to travel between villages and as far afield as Clifton Moor, Monks Cross, New Earswick and Huntington, as well as to York District Hospital. Interchanges with Park and Ride and First York services will also make it possible for users to travel into the city centre.

The door-to-door service will cost slightly more than a standard bus fare, but significantly less than using a taxi, and will run five days a week, between 9.15am and 4.15pm. A part-timetable Friday night service will also operate.

A spokesman said: "The service has been developed in response to a consultation carried out by the Rural Transport Partnership and will follow the lead of successful demand-responsive services operating elsewhere in the country."

The service is funded jointly by the Countryside Agency and Yorkshire Forward. It can be pre-booked by calling the Businfo/ Dial-a-Ride call centre, on (01904) 624455, the day before travel. Details of fares will be given at the time of booking, as will pick-up times. Concessionary fare discounts will be available.