Commuter discounts for Park and Ride to be trialled

Businesses in Leicester are being contacted to take part in a trial scheme offering reduced cost Park and Ride season tickets to their staff.

Leicester City and Leicestershire County councils have  teamed up to trial a new introductory discount scheme aimed at commuters that travel into the city regularly, but who have not yet taken advantage of the Park and Ride service. A limited number of discounted season tickets will be available during the trial period, which launched today (31 Oct), and will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis.

Under the trial scheme, the price of a 52-week season ticket will be reduced from £420 to just £250. A 26-week season ticket will be discounted from £230 to £130, and a 13-week ticket will cost £80, down from £130. Tickets must be purchased directly through an employer, who can apply for the introductory tickets on behalf of their staff.

Cllr Adam Clarke, assistant city mayor for energy and sustainability, said: “This trial is aimed at those people who normally drive into the city for their daily commute. “We hope the generous introductory discounts on offer will give them an incentive to make the shift to a more sustainable form of transport. Park and Ride offers fast and reliable journey times for passengers, and getting more people on board will help us reduce congestion and improve air quality on key routes in and out of the city.”

Cllr Peter Osborne, Leicestershire County Council cabinet member for transport, said: “This scheme offers significant savings for long term commuters and we hope that, with the support of their employers, even more people will be able to take advantage of the Park and Ride service.”

The season tickets will be available for travel from any one of the three park and Ride sites – Meynell’s Gorse, Enderby or Birstall. For more information about the trial commuter season ticket discounts, please email parkandride@leics.gov.uk