South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (SYPTE), in partnership with Doncaster Council and bus operator First, is delighted to announce the opening of two new Park and Ride sites along the A638 Quality Bus Corridor (QBC) on the 1 September 2008.
The A638 QBC is a major transport project which will provide improvements for all road users travelling to and from Doncaster from the north and south of the Borough.
The introduction of Park and Ride is the latest part of the QBC to be introduced, allowing anyone who uses the facilities to benefit from quicker journey times, reduced congestion and cleaner air for Doncaster.
In the North, the site is located on York Road (opposite Green Lane); while in the South the site is located at Parrott’s Corner, just off Bawtry Road.
Each Park and Ride site provides parking spaces for around 400 cars, including spaces specifically allocated to drivers with disabilities, and a number of covered cycle racks.
CCTV cameras, a staff presence, lighting and a barrier controlled entrance and exit provide a high level of security for customers leave their vehicles.
Further facilities include a sheltered passenger waiting area, toilets (including disabled and baby changing facilities), a vending machine, ‘RealTime’ passenger information screens and two easy-to-use ticket machines. On-site staff are also available to provide further passenger information as and when required, as well as offering a security presence.
Customers will be able to take advantage of free car parking and then pay the launch fare of £2.00 for a return bus journey to the town centre. Passengers will also able to take advantage of a weekly ticket at just £10.00.
The new Park and Ride will also benefit commuters who car share, with group tickets costing just £2.50 per day. Further to this, students with valid travel passes can use Park and Ride for just £0.80 a day, while anyone entitled to use the bus for free will receive the same privileges with Park and Ride.
Not only will passengers benefit from these excellent prices, but high frequencies of buses calling into the sites will mean there will be no long wait for passengers.
Both sites are served by two types of bus service, a fast limited stop service running every 15 minutes at commuter times, enhancing the all stop 7-10 minute frequency daytime service.
A dedicated fleet of peak-time buses, service number 638 will serve the sites during peak-periods. These limited stop buses will call into the sites every 15 minutes between 7:05am and 9:30am in the morning and between 4:15pm and 6:15pm in the afternoon. The dedicated return buses from the town centre will depart every 15 minutes between 7:20am and 9:10am and 3:50pm and 6:30pm.
The 638 stops only at the Dome, the Racecourse, South Parade, Hall Gate, Cleveland Street, Frenchgate Interchange and The Hub (Doncaster College).
Alongside this, a number of existing buses running along the route will call into the sites approximately every 7-10 minutes throughout the day until both sites close at 19:00. The 50/50A and 78 are now calling regularly at Doncaster North Park and Ride, while the 55 calls at Doncaster South Park and Ride.
Passengers are also set to benefit from excellent levels of customer service thanks to an innovative training programme put together by First South Yorkshire in partnership with South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive.
Each of the dedicated fleet of buses will be operated by drivers who have successfully gone through the ‘Ambassador Training Programme’. Alongside this a small dedicated team of drivers will drive buses on the 638 service and this will allow customers to get to know their regular driver.
The Ambassador Training Programme provides bus drivers with a high level of customer service training and looks to consistently deliver a service that meets and exceeds customer expectations.
The programme also looks to promote confidence in bus travel at a time when passenger numbers are on the up in South Yorkshire as the high price of fuel is encouraging motorists to ditch their car for the bus.
Speaking about the opening of the new Park and Ride service in Doncaster, David Brown, Director General of South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive, said, “The opening of the new Park and Ride sites and the introduction of the Park and Ride bus services represent a major improvement in the public transport infrastructure in Doncaster. I hope they will encourage commuters and shoppers to give public transport a try.”
Andrea Milner, Cabinet Member for Connected Communities, added, “This is a major addition to Doncaster's outstanding transport infrastructure that will help make jobs, our communities and the town centre more accessible for people in Doncaster. This is a key priority for me and the QBC Park and Ride service is one way in which we are working with our partners to offer greater choice for people travelling throughout the Borough.”
Nicola Shaw, Managing Director for First’s UK Bus Division, said, “First is looking forward to providing a high-quality bus service on the new and exciting Doncaster Park and Ride Service.”
“I would like to congratulate the PTE and Doncaster Council for making significant investment in bus priority measures and infrastructure improvements on route, most notably on Bawtry Road, which helps First carry passengers quickly and safely to their destination.”