Shuttle service could ease congestion in Stratford if more people used it
CONGESTION in Stratford could be cut if more people used the Park and Ride – but what’s putting them off the service?
A series of photographs taken over the last week at approximately the same time of day reveal an empty site with little or no activity, despite having 700 parking spaces available.
The barren scene is in complete contrast to last summer when an eight-week special promotion over July and September saw a 70 per cent increase in users of the Park and Ride bus service and car park compared to the same eight-week period in 2022.
It was a hit with residents and visitors alike, but the deal came to an end on 18th September when things were returned to a business-as-usual service. Was this a missed opportunity and should the summer special apply all year round?
A Warwickshire County Council spokesperson said: “A successful eight-week promotion of the Stratford Park and Ride bus service in summer 2023 saw an increase in usage of 70 per cent compared to the previous year. Following this, Warwickshire County Council is continuing to review the service and consider potential options for increasing usage. In addition, we are also actively exploring the possibility of introducing a Sunday service.”
Colin Stewart, chair Stratford Town Transport Group, believes Park and Ride does have an important role to play: “Making parking free at the Park and Ride would increase use so it is cost-effective. It would also influence people because they could catch the shuttle into town on a dedicated route and avoid queuing traffic.”
There are also economic benefits to having a regular service because if consumers know it’s reliable they’ll use it more frequently and spend money in town centre shops and businesses.
Oxford has a number of Park and Ride sites which form a ring around the city making it easy to use.
Fares range from £4 to £5 for parking and a day return bus ticket using machines onsite.
Last December, Oxford’s Park and Ride service turned 50 years old.