New Leeds city centre stop to meet growing park and ride demand

PRESS RELEASE ISSUED BY WEST YORKSHIRE COMBINED AUTHORITY

Due to the huge popularity of park and ride bus services from Elland Road and Temple Green into Leeds, from this week passengers now have two stops available on the city centre’s Boar Lane.

With increasing numbers of people choosing to leave their car at the 800-space Elland Road facility or the 1,000-space site to the east of the city at Temple Green, and complete their journey by bus, the numbers waiting at the existing Boar Lane stop were growing.

In addition the frequency of peak-time services from the Elland Road site is being increased to provide an additional 225% capacity during the busiest periods.

Cllr Keith Wakefield, Chair of West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s Transport Committee said:

“Each week, the growing numbers of people taking advantage of the park and ride sites at Elland Road and Temple Green, is having a significant effect on the economic and environmental cost of congestion in Leeds by removing over 6,000 car journeys from the city centre’s streets.

“As passengers numbers have escalated, so has the demand on the Boar Lane stop, particularly during the evening peak, so from Monday the two services will have their own, adjacent, stops and shelters and there will be additional peak time capacity from Elland Road thanks to more frequent buses.

“PR1 services for Elland Road will remain at Stop T9, where there is also a park and ride ticket machine, and PR2 services for Temple Green will drop off and pick up at Stop T8.”

Cllr Richard Lewis, Leeds City Council’s executive member for regeneration, transport and planning said:

“Along with improved bus services, park and ride is a key element of our transport strategy for the city, so I’m pleased to see it becoming a ‘victim’ of its own success and requiring us to provide exclusive stops for both services.

“I am pleased that we have been able to develop these successful services with our partners at West Yorkshire Combined Authority and First West Yorkshire, and look forward to the ongoing growth of park and ride in our city.”

Will Pearson, Operations Director at First Leeds, said:

“We’re proud to operate the Leeds City Centre Park & Ride services and we’re pleased to support today’s announcement so that we can encourage even more people to use our successful park & ride network.

“Buses are key to tackling congestion and reducing emissions and in fact, a fully-loaded double decker bus can take 75 cars off the road. If more people tried Park & Ride, rather than driving into the city centre, then that would ease congestion and would improve bus journey times. We look forward to welcoming new and existing customers on board over the coming weeks.”

Parking out of town at Elland Road or Temple Green and completing their journey in 10 to 15 minutes on frequent, modern, low-emission buses costs passengers from just £2.70 per day. people can find out more about park and ride in Leeds at www.wymetro.com/park-and-ride.

Online yournextbus real-time information for both stops is available via the Metro travel information website at www.wymetro.com. The unique code for Stop T8 is 45010688 and the code for Stop T9 is 45010689.

Services 209, 229 and X29, which currently use Stop T8, are moving along one stop to T7 – 45010686 for yournextbus - from Saturday 17 February as part of this weekend’s county-wide service changes, which are also detailed on the Metro website.

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Notes to Editors

Between 15 September and 27 October 2017, Leeds City Council and West Yorkshire Combined Authority carried out public and stakeholder engagement to gather feedback on plans for a 1,100-space park and ride site in Stourton and improvements to the A639 Low Road/A61 (south) Hunslet Road. The plans include a new, dedicated bus lane and fully segregated cycle track between the Thwaite Gate and the city centre, and improvements junctions along the route. The overall impact of the scheme will be to improved journey times, better pedestrian and cycling environments and reduced congestion.

These results are currently being analysed. 

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Contact: James Reed Tel: 0113 348 1632 Mob: 07966 251545 | james.reed@westyorks-ca.gov.uk

Attached are pictures of Elland Road and Temple Green park and ride sites.

Notes to Editors

We work in partnership with local councils and businesses to ensure that everyone in our region benefits from a strong, successful economy and a modern, accessible transport network. By championing the region’s interests nationally and internationally, we secure the investment to deliver better transport and housing, help businesses to grow and create jobs.

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We want our region to be recognised globally as a strong, successful economy where everyone can build great businesses, careers and lives.

For more information visit www.westyorks-ca.gov.uk.