An experimental shuttle bus service provided by Ford has been given the go ahead to operate in Bexley, Southwark and Wandsworth.

Ford's Chariot service already runs in five American cities, allowing passengers to pre-book through an app similar to Uber.

Chariot is a Ford Transit wagon driven by professional drivers, allowing passengers to track their drivers on a map.

Following government approval, it will be rolled out along routes south of the River Thames which are not close to Underground stations including near the Battersea Power Station redevelopment.

In south-east London, the routes include a service along the Nuxley navigator, from Carlton Road, Erith to Abbey Wood station and a route along Shooters Hill, to North Greenwich station.

In Battersea, Chariot will run from Clapham Junction station to Osiers Road - a route dubbed the Wandsworth Wanderer.

A fourth route called the Battersea Bullet runs from Kennington Underground to Chelsea Gate.

Chariot boasts a reserved seat and, in London, standard rides are £2.40. A standard bus fare is £1.50.

Chariot works by being pre-bookable but with predetermined stops, similar to a bus route. It is already running in New York, Seattle, Columbus, San Francisco and Austin San-Antonio.

A spokesman for Chariot said: "Ford welcomes Transport for London’s decision to grant the London Service Permit to Chariot to start operating a microtransit service for London commuters.

"Chariot’s commuter ride-share service will complement the existing public transport system by offering in-app ride booking for first- and last-mile commuting solutions, and the potential to reach underserved areas.  Further details of the service will be provided soon."

TfL has been approached for comment.