Parking and travel
DaRT87 Demand Responsive Transport
DaRT87 Demand Responsive Transport
DaRT87 is a pre-booked fully accessible minibus service.
Trips must be booked at least 24 hours in advance using the Flexiroute Passenger app, or by phone or email.
It has been operating since January 2021 following the withdrawal of the Arriva 87 bus service by Essex County Council. The service is funded by Epping Forest District Council (EFDC) and managed by Epping Forest Community Transport (EFCT) on behalf of EFDC.
How to book
All journeys must be booked at least 24 hours in advance either for one-off trips, or block bookings.
To book a journey:
- Use the Flexiroute Passenger app
- Call Epping Forest Community Transport on 01992 579556 on Monday to Friday from 9:30am to 12:30pm
- Email efct@efcommunitytransport.org.uk
Download the Flexiroute Passenger app
Passengers can book and track their booked vehicle using the app:
- Download the Flexiroute Passenger App from Apple Store or Google Play
- Select Epping Forest from the regions list
- Register your details
When you book using the app, state your location, destination and departure or arrival time. If the trip can be fulfilled you will be told your nearest pickup point. This is usually an established bus stop. A walking route to it will be shown on your smartphone closer to the time if you need it. You can also block book regular trips.
The app shows you the location of the vehicle as you wait. Text alerts can let you know if there are problems such as road closures. All fares are paid on the vehicles and not via the app. You will need a contactless payment card or phone app or a valid concessionary pass.
DaRT87 route
The route of the DaRT87 runs from:
- Debden Underground Station and Debden Broadway
- Loughton (including Rectory Lane, Pyrles Lane and England’s Lane)
- Theydon Bois
- Epping (including Epping Underground Station, Epping Forest District Council Civic Offices and St Margaret’s Hospital)
- Epping Green
- Staple Tye
- Harlow Town Centre (Playhouse stop)
- Princess Alexandra Hospital
- Sainsbury’s (Fifth Avenue)
Times
There is no fixed timetable. However, journeys will be shaped by demand e.g. NHS staff working certain shifts and college start times.
Operational hours are Monday to Friday 7am to 7pm, subject to demand.
Saturday services may start to run in 2023.
Cost and how to pay
We have simplified adult fares which also apply to secondary school pupils travelling alone and 5 to 11 year olds accompanied by an adult:
- £2 for trips up to 7 miles (this covers most trips)
- £5 for over 7 miles
- Under 5s travel free
All daily fares can be paid using contactless payment or a valid concessionary pass. These are our preferred methods, but cash can be accepted on board, subject to the driver having change. Please bring the exact fare whenever possible.
If you block book a series of regular trips, pre-payment by BACS to EFCT may be possible.
Who is it for?
During the pandemic the service focused on NHS staff and other key worker commutes. We are now seeing an increased use by school and college students, other commuters and daytime non-essential trips for shopping, leisure and visiting family and friends.
All concessionary passes issued by Essex County Council are accepted in line with their T&Cs and all vehicles are wheelchair compatible.
Any other questions?
- Epping Forest Community Transport: Email efct@efcommunitytransport.org.uk
- General bus / tube / train enquiries (Essex County Council): Email passenger.transport@essex.gov.uk
- Ideas on sustainable transport (EFDC): Email transport@eppingforestdc.gov.uk