Leave the car behind – Sprucefield’s new park’n’ride services are a cut above-Press Releases-News-Translink
Leave the car behind – Sprucefield’s new park’n’ride services are a cut above
16th August 2007:
Commuters regularly journeying between Sprucefield and Belfast should save on petrol and parking costs, and instead benefit from massive cuts in journey times and ticket prices on offer through Ulsterbus park’n’ride services.
Alongside a month-long price promotion, the company will be extending on-peak services as part of timetable changes set to come into force from Monday September 03.
“We want to persuade car users to leave their vehicles behind and embrace public transport as the most efficient, cost-effective and environmentally friendly way of getting from A to B,” Special Services Manager Mark Glover said.
From August 27 to September 28, Translink has said that it will slash 20% off the price of Smartlink weekly return tickets between Sprucefield park’n’ride and Belfast’s Europa Buscentre. Weekly fares – already discounted from £25 to £20 – will now drop to £16.
“Motorists want to avoid the daily frustration of sitting in traffic jams and expensive city centre car parking. By putting in place an attractive and realistic public transport alternative, we’re giving motorists every reason to park and ride,” he added.
From August 27, the facility will also see its opening hours lengthen to 7.30pm on weekdays. As a result, Translink has said that it will lengthen on-peak shuttle service hours to fall in line with the move.
The shuttle service will run every 20 minutes on-peak and every 60 minutes at off-peak times.
“Our timetable changes reflect the needs of users. By extending peak service time we’re responding to the habits of our passengers,” Mr Glover said.
“For example, with the emergence of flexi-hours and the continued popularity of late-night shopping it’s important that our services change to match the demands of modern living. That’s also why we’re waiving the normal £1.50 cover charge for people who buy the Smartlink card online.”
Over the past 12 months, the supporting MI bus prioritisation have reduced journey times from Sprucefield to Belfast during peak times. In tandem with the 220-space facility at Black’s Road, Translink is making a major contribution to reducing car numbers in and around the City.
The new timetable is available from the Europa Buscentre information desk, or by calling customer services on 028 90 66 6630. Details are also available from the Translink website on www.translink.co.uk/parkandride.
For further information contact Geoff McGimpsey at Morrow Communications on 028 9039 3837 or email g.mcgimpsey@morrowcommunications.com
Notes to Editors
The Park & Ride facility at Sprucefield was launched almost exactly a year ago by then Transport Minister David Cairns. The facility boasts 320 free car-parking spaces and is the largest in Northern Ireland. The car park also has on site security, is fully surfaced and well lit.
Sprucefield Park & Ride is provided by:
Ulsterbus Service 651 during peak times (fully accessible double-decker buses)
Ulsterbus Service 238/238A during inter-peak times.
Service Times – The service, which previously operated every 15 minutes on peak, now operates every 20 minutes at peak times.
Morning: 6.30am to 9.30am
Evening: 4.10 pm to 7.00pm
Service Times – The service runs hourly off-Peak:
Monday to Friday
From 10am to 4pm
Sprucefield Park & Ride Journey costs are as follows:
£5 daily return, OR
£16 for a weekly Smartlink card.
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