Member Article

Commuters offered free park and ride

Tyneside’s first commercial park and ride is giving commuters an opportunity to avoid rush hour congestion for free. Passengers using Go North East’s Park and Ride, which connects MetroCentre to Newcastle and Gateshead, can use the service for free for the four day week following the May Day Bank Holiday (8–11 May). The week-long free travel incentive is designed to encourage commuters to leave their cars at the MetroCentre and take advantage of bus-only roads on routes running to Dean Street and Gateshead Interchange.

John Gordon, Go North East’s park and ride service delivery manager, said: “We’re pleased with the way things have gone in the first month. The service is working well. All journeys are meeting the 10 minute target and passenger feedback has been hugely positive. “Passengers tell us that it’s easy to use, cuts commuting times, makes journeys far easier, less stressful and avoids city centre parking charges. They are also helping the environment. “Now we want more people to find out about the benefits by trying it out for free. We hope that they will like the service so much that they will stay with us and reap the benefits.”

Between May 8 and 11, motorists can turn up at the MetroCentre Coach Park between 7am and 9am. On arrival they will be handed a return ticket for their chosen service along with a parking permit for that day.

More information can be found at www.simplygo.com.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .