WIN £25 credit for Oxford Bus Company’s brilliant new bus service, PickMeUp!
To enter, all you have to do is:
1. Go to the Oxford Mumbler facebook page here and find the PickMeUp competition post (pinned to the top of the page)
2. Like the post
3. In the comments below it, tag a friend who might like to know about the competition
By Wednesday 29th August 2018. And that’s it! GOOD LUCK!
PickMeUp is an on-demand ride-sharing minibus service, introduced to enable us to move around Oxford more easily and directly. To book it, you download the app, register your bank card, and request a journey. It will pick you up from a ‘virtual bus stop’ within a short walkable distance of where you are and take you and other passengers to your chosen destinations. How convenient!
I’ve only used PickMeUp a couple of times as I live beyond its current territory, but I will be forever grateful to it for saving my bacon after the Cowley Road Carnival. We were trying to convince our toddler to walk back to our car, which we’d parked a long way away, but he was having none of it. Tired, hot AND hungry, he was unravelling pretty fast and things were looking bleak, until a kind stranger told us about PickMeUp. Hey presto, 10 minutes later we were aboard the lovely cool bus heading for our car! Imagine my relief!
PickMeUp is such a smart invention for Oxford parents wanting to get from A to B with minimal fuss. I asked the lovely mums & dads of the Oxford Mumbler facebook chat group what they made of the new service, and here’s what they said:
‘I’ve used it loads of times, mostly from Headington to Littlemore. I absolutely love it. It’s always impeccably clean and it has usually only been me or one other on board. I love that I can charge my phone and use the WiFi, which means that even if our route is circuitous, I can keep in touch with whoever is looking after my son. I love their live ETA feature and I find the drivers super friendly and helpful. I find that if I keep refreshing the route request, I can often get a bus after a short time, except at real peak times, which is fair enough. It’s such good value and I’ve recommended several friends, so I may even be in credit as I get £5 when they use my referral code. I hope they roll out more ASAP! It is SUCH a boost for Littlemore as our local services are not very frequent.’
‘I’ve used it three times now and it’s been great! First time from Jericho to near the JR, which is normally not possible, second time from east oxford to JR, therefore avoiding the extremely convoluted no 10. Third time was the best though. Had promised my kids a trip to energisers but managed to wait on the wrong side of the road for the one bus which goes anywhere near. The next bus would mean we would miss it (not an option), so I requested a PickMeUp and it came within 10 mins and dropped us nearly at the door.’
‘I’ve used it about 10 times now and love it in principle. You get a time and place to catch it and you’re informed of any delays. It covers a very useful area of Oxford but I wish it went further! Four more vehicles are being added so it must be growing. Most times it has been good/perfect.
It’s ideal for buggies but remember to park and brake safely with baby rear facing, as they would be in a carseat, with back against the driver’s cabin. The busses are zippier than normal busses and are on small streets so expect more braking than a usual bus. Don’t expect a direct journey as there can be other pick ups along the way with some deviations.
Be aware that the ride that you want could be available /not. Mine have varied from available in 6 min to 31 min to not available (at busy times like a rainy Friday in school holidays). A good tip is that if you are offered a ride very soon but you want one later e.g. 6 min versus 25 min, wait on the screen where you can see 6 min and it will do a countdown of availability then offer you the next available ride option. That way you don’t get forced into dashing out the door.’
What area does it cover?
PickMeUp currently covers Oxford’s ‘Eastern Arc’, which goes from Marston in the north to Blackbird Leys in the south, and includes Rose Hill, Headington, Barton, Cowley, Littlemore and the city centre.
How much will it cost?
For a limited time during the introductory period, every PickMeUp trip costs just £2.50 – no matter how long your journey. (An additional £2.50 may be charged if your PickMeUp journey is made where the Oxford Bus Company already run bus services.) Children under five travel FREE.
What are the operating hours?
Service starts at 06:00 hrs until 23:00 hrs daily Mon-Friday. Saturdays are 08:30 hrs until 19:30 hrs. Sundays are 08:30 – 19:00 hrs. Bank holidays will operate to the Sunday service hours.
What special offers are available?
*When you pay £20 into your PickMeUp account ahead of booking your journeys, you’ll receive £25 of PickMeUp credit.
*Recommend PickMeUp to your friend and they’ll receive two free journeys. When your friend uses their free journey, you’ll get two free journeys too! And there’s no limit to the number of times you can do this!
*When you book 3 people to travel together on the same journey, the third person goes free! Download the app and grab this bargain until the end of August!
To find out more about PickMeUp, go to their website https://pickmeup.oxfordbus.co.uk/
Oxford Mumbler is your local parenting community – a website packed with information for families in and around Oxford. Visit oxford.mumbler.co.uk for everything from what’s on over the holidays, days out, weekly clubs and classes in Oxford, to support groups and services for pregnancy, babies, parents and more, or follow us on Facebook here
Competition terms and conditions
1. This competition is open to any person resident in the UK who is over 18 years old. Employees of Oxford Bus Company and Oxford Mumbler are not eligible. By entering, the participant agrees to be bound by these Terms and Conditions.
2. There is £25 credit to be won.
3. The winner will be selected at random from all entries received.
4. The closing date is Wednesday 29th August at 10.00pm.
5. The winner will be notified by Friday 31st August 2018.
6. The prize is not transferable and no cash alternative is available.
7. The Promoter reserves the right to withdraw this offer or amend these Terms and Conditions at any time without notice.
8. In the event of any dispute regarding the Terms and Conditions, the conduct, results and any other matters relating to this prize draw, the decision of the Promoter shall be final and no correspondence or discussion shall be entered into.
9. We take your privacy very seriously, and will NOT share any of your details with any other party. Your details will only be used to contact you if you win.
