First Bus is giving away free tickets this week to customers who use the new Yate Park and Ride. The bus provider is offering free travel to encourage people to make the most of the £4.5million site after it was slammed as a 'waste of time and money' by locals.
Pictures taken today (Friday, May 20) show only a handful of cars at the site after it was criticised for offering nothing more than just a car park. The transport hub is served by the Y1, Y4 and Y6, and no longer the Y2 after it was axed last month.
First Bus says that between Monday, May 23 and Friday, May 27 the first 50 customers travelling between 6.45am and 9am each day from the site on Badminton Road can get a free West of England Day ticket, which would otherwise cost £7.50, as well as a voucher for 20 percent off another day ticket for future trips.
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During half term, from May 30 to June 1, First Bus is giving away 70 free day group tickets everyday worth £15 each from 9.30am to 11am, to encourage families to use the service to get into Bristol city centre. It is also offering a voucher with 20 percent off a further day group ticket to use another day.
First Bus says it is giving away free travel in an effort to get "more people to experience the benefits of leaving the car behind." The Yate Park and Ride is part of a wider vision by South Gloucestershire Council to reduce congestion along Badminton Road, which also includes works to install new cycle lanes.
The new Park and Ride, which opened in February, currently includes 38 electric vehicle charging points, 198 parking spaces and cycle parking for 46 bikes, as well as improved bus stops. No additional bus services stop at the Yate Park and Ride - which has led locals to question its purpose - but the council has assured the A432 corridor will "continue to benefit from investment in public transport over the next five years."
Will this offer tempt you out of your car and onto the buses? Tell us your opinion in the comments section.
First Bus says further facilities will be installed at the site in the coming months, including bike hire, a car club and click and collect lockers. It says the car park will also be available for rail users at Yate Station.
Doug Claringbold, First West of England Managing Director, said: “These offers are designed to encourage more people to experience the benefits of leaving the car behind, whether they be commuters or families getting out and about for leisure. It’s also part of our commitment to helping deliver a more sustainable future for the communities we serve.”
Cllr Steve Reade, South Gloucestershire Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Environment and Strategic Infrastructure, said: “We are pleased to be working with First West of England to offer people living in and around Yate some great offers in May and June that will give them the chance to experience the convenience of the Park and Ride facility.
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"It supports sustainable travel in Yate, Chipping Sodbury and the surrounding area and is part of our ambition to create more green travel options for our residents and contribute towards our Climate Change goals to reduce carbon emissions and improve air quality.”
First Bus says travel advisors will be at the Park and Ride to assist customers to hand out free tickets before customers board, and to advise on bus routes and timetables. They will also be offering giveaways to support sustainable and active travel.
