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Park and ride for a stress-free trip

Andy Cronshaw
20/11/2003

A SCHEME to tempt shoppers heading into the city centre onto the bus was launched last weekend on Princess Road.

The new Park and Ride service operating from the Siemens building offers drivers the opportunity to park their cars and take a £1 bus journey into the city centre.

And transport managers hailed the scheme a success despite a slow start. Eventually shoppers were queuing up to board the buses which leave for Manchester every 10 minutes.

Many of those taking up the offer were travelling into Manchester from outside the area such as husband and wife Chris and Ann Timony, from Stoke who'd spotted signs for the new service at Wythenshawe Hospital.

Others such as Kingsley Purdam, from Didsbury, were keen to avoid a £7.50 car parking ticket in the city centre.

He said: "I needed to visit a jewellers in town so I thought this would be a better option than a bus because it's direct.

"There's no hassle finding a car parking spot and I know my car is safe here."

Some drivers, like Peggy Keating and Pat Reeves from Middleton, even travelled down from north Manchester to avoid parking problems in the city centre. Chorlton Councillor Val Steven said: "This is a marvellous scheme which will deliver shoppers right to the heart of Manchester.

People will also be able to take advantage of the free Metroshuttle link running between car parks, stations and shops in the city centre.

This will reduce congestion in the city centre and make Manchester a more attractive and pleasant place to stop.

"Park and ride is great value, convenient and safe. I'm sure it will boost Manchester's popularity more than ever as a shopping destination during this festive period."

• The service is operating throughout Christmas every Saturday from 9am to 6.30pm and every Sunday from 10.30am to 5.30pm.