Meriden residents benefiting from free on-demand bus service

Residents of the Meriden are now making use of a free temporary bus service that we have set up in partnership with ArrivaClick and Watford Borough Council, to provide access to vital post office services.

Tina Barnard, Chief Executive of Watford Community Housing, met with Peter Taylor, Elected Mayor of Watford, to mark the launch of the interim bus service that is ensuring Meriden residents have easy access to a local post office without having to pay for transport.

The redevelopment of the Meriden has meant the temporary closure of the existing post office, as the owners finalise their preparations to move to the brand-new parade of shops.

Responding to concerns from the Meriden community, Watford Community Housing agreed a deal with Arriva to make its bookable ArrivaClick service available to local residents wanting to visit a post office, free of charge. Watford Community Housing is fully funding this dedicated service, which collects people from the Meriden and provides transport to the post office on Bushey Mill Lane.

Launched in July 2020, ArrivaClick is a low-cost minibus service that is subsidised by Watford Borough Council and is available across Watford. It was championed by Mayor Peter Taylor and offers the town’s residents an affordable way to travel, as well as helping to reduce congestion.

To use the new, dedicated post office service from the Meriden, residents can call 0345 501 0000 and quote ‘CLICKMERIDEN’ to be picked up from a location close to their home. Users of the service can also take advantage of onboard facilities such as free Wi-Fi and USB charging points.

Speaking from the Meriden Community Centre, Peter Taylor, Elected Mayor of Watford, said: “We are proud to help support Watford residents throughout this period – providing a quick and easy way to get to and from the Post Office at no cost. ArrivaClick is just one of the ways we are making Watford a greener, more sustainable place, and we are excited that residents will have the opportunity to try out the service!”

Watford Community Housing’s Tina Barnard said: “We know that people in our communities rely on the post office, so we were determined to strike a deal to make sure these services remain accessible to our residents. This bus service offers that accessibility and delivers on our promise to put our residents’ needs at the heart of every decision we make.”