Ealing residents can jump on a new kind of bus ride this week with an on-demand service that lets you request a seat, select your pick-up and drop-off points and pay directly through an app.

Slide Ealing is being run by Transport for London (TfL) for a 12-month trial period, seven days a week from 6am to 1am. It will travel from Southall in the west to the North Circular, and from the A40 down to Boston Manor in the south of Ealing.

Passengers can book a ride using the app or over the phone. The service does not follow a fixed route, picking people up from flexible stops, creating a more personalised service. Once a ride has been secured, users will wait no longer than around 10 minutes for a bus.

Fares will start at a flat rate of £3.50, with passengers being able to benefit from weekly and monthly capping and every tenth journey will be free. Freedom Passes and the English National Concessionary pass will be accepted, too, and the new buses can accommodate wheelchair users.

Ealing has been chosen by TfL for the trial because there are relatively high numbers of private vehicles in the borough. Figures show that 40% of people living in the area use cars – be they private or for hire – to get to work.

Lucy Taylor, Ealing Council’s director for regeneration and planning, said: “The council is excited by this new development in bus route planning. It could be a game-changer in how buses operate and in on-demand travel options – by offering a flexible, accessible and socially inclusive service, as well as helping meet the council’s objectives and encouraging people to use a more sustainable way of travelling.”

Bus company RATP and German technology firm MOIA are working with TfL on the project.

For more information visit slideealing.com/faqs