Ipswich park and ride
Encyclopedia
Ipswich Park and Ride is a park and ride
service operating in the town of Ipswich
. The services operate from 2 purpose-built sites around the outskirts of the town. First Eastern Counties is the current operator, with Ipswich Buses operating the services until 2008.
Suffolk County Council have confirmed that the Bury Road P&R site will close in January 2011. This is due to a substantial drop in demand.
Note that since First took over the franchise, the route numbers are no longer used on buses or on timetables.
, opened in 2003. The services were operated by Ipswich Buses
until November 2008, when First Eastern Counties won the contract for the next 5 years until late 2013, the main reason why First Eastern Counties was chosen was because it had the most competitive rate.
Park and ride
Park and ride facilities are car parks with connections to public transport that allow commuters and other people wishing to travel into city centres to leave their vehicles and transfer to a bus, rail system , or carpool for the rest of their trip...
service operating in the town of Ipswich
Ipswich
Ipswich is a large town and a non-metropolitan district. It is the county town of Suffolk, England. Ipswich is located on the estuary of the River Orwell...
. The services operate from 2 purpose-built sites around the outskirts of the town. First Eastern Counties is the current operator, with Ipswich Buses operating the services until 2008.
Suffolk County Council have confirmed that the Bury Road P&R site will close in January 2011. This is due to a substantial drop in demand.
Routes
| Route | Origin | Destination | Via | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 800 | Martlesham Park and Ride | London Road Park and Ride | Hospital, Town Centre, Station | |
| 802 | London Road Park and Ride | Martlesham Park and Ride | Station, Town Centre, Hospital |
Note that since First took over the franchise, the route numbers are no longer used on buses or on timetables.
History
London Road has been operated since the service began in the 1990s. The second site at Bury Road opened in 2000. The third site, at MartleshamMartlesham
Martlesham is a village in Suffolk, England about two miles South-West of Woodbridge and East of Ipswich. It is often referred to as "old Martlesham" by locals in order to distinguish this old village from the much more recent Martlesham Heath development to the south although both form a...
, opened in 2003. The services were operated by Ipswich Buses
Ipswich Buses
Ipswich Buses Ltd is a bus company that operates in Ipswich, Suffolk, UK and has been doing so for over 100 years. Its depot is situated in Constantine Road, near Ipswich Town's football ground...
until November 2008, when First Eastern Counties won the contract for the next 5 years until late 2013, the main reason why First Eastern Counties was chosen was because it had the most competitive rate.
Bury Road Park & Ride
Bury Road P&R closed on 29 January 2011. It was reported that the council did discuss the possible continuation of the site. This discussion was with another operator and using a possible standard bus route to the site. However, this was not deemed feasible as according to the council it would cost in excess of £100,000 to maintain the site each year. At a time of extreme cuts in council spending, it was seen to be too expensive to support. The cost of maintaining the site (once disused) remains unknown. In theory, the site could be sold for development, as it is in the grounds of the 'Anglia Retail Park'. However, this is unlikely due to the low price likely to be paid in a poor economic climate. It is hoped that the site may re-open if demand picks up. With the planned opening of SnOasis in 2014, demand may well pick up for a North Ipswich Park & Ride site. The site will be handed back to its owners, Ipswich Borough Council.Ipswich Buses Main Vehicles Used For Park & Ride
| Registration | Designated P&R site | Date of Operation | Colour |
|---|---|---|---|
| R186 DDX | London Road | 1997–2002 | Purple |
| R187 DDX | London Road | 1997–2002 | Purple |
| R188 DDX | London Road | 1997–2002 | Purple |
| R189 DDX | London Road | 1997–2002 | Purple |
| X151 LBJ | Bury Road | 2000–2002 | Purple |
| X152 LBJ | Bury Road | 2000–2002 | Purple |
| X153 LBJ | Bury Road | 2000–2002 | Purple |
| YG52 DGO | London Road | 2002–2008 | Purple |
| YG52 DHF | London Road | 2002–2008 | Purple |
| YG52 DGE | London Road | 2002–2008 | Purple |
| YG52 DGF | London Road | 2002–2008 | Purple |
| PN52 XBO | Bury Road | 2002–2008 | Purple |
| PN52 XBK | Bury Road | 2002–2008 | Purple |
| PN52 XBJ | Bury Road | 2002–2008 | Purple |
| PJ53 OLC | Martlesham | 2003–2008 | Purple with White stripe |
| PJ53 OLE | Martlesham | 2003–2008 | Purple with White stripe |
| PJ53 OLG | Martlesham | 2003–2008 | Purple with White stripe |
| PJ53 OLH | Martlesham | 2003–2008 | Purple with White stripe |
| PJ53 OLK | Martlesham | 2003–2008 | Purple with White stripe |
Ipswich Buses
- Optare ExcelOptare ExcelThe Optare Excel is a low-floor full-size single-decker bus manufactured by Optare.Manufactured as an integral bus, the Excel was launched in 1995 as one of the first low-floor single-deck vehicles. The styling of the body was in keeping with existing Optare products, especially at the rear...
- Dennis Dart SLF/East Lancs MyllenniumEast Lancs MyllenniumThe East Lancs Myllennium is a type of bus body built on MAN, Volvo, DAF/VDL and Alexander Dennis chassis. It was built as a single and double deck body, with double deck bodies having slightly different names .-Single decker:...
- DAF DB250/East Lancs Myllennium LowlanderEast Lancs Myllennium LowlanderThe East Lancs Myllennium Lowlander is the type of bus body built on the DAF/VDL DB250 chassis by East Lancashire Coachbuilders.-History:The Myllennium Lowlander superseded the East Lancs Lowlander. The Lowlander was also the East Lancs body for the DAF DB250, but in 2000, was given a facelift with...
- Spare buses included buses from the Ipswich BusesIpswich BusesIpswich Buses Ltd is a bus company that operates in Ipswich, Suffolk, UK and has been doing so for over 100 years. Its depot is situated in Constantine Road, near Ipswich Town's football ground...
fleet.
First Eastern Counties
- Volvo B7RLEVolvo B7RLEVolvo B7RLE is a low-floor single-deck citybus launched initially in Australia in 2001, and then in the United Kingdom in 2003 to supplement the B7L single-decker, which was unsuccessful in both countries. It is similar to the B7L's predecessor, the B10BLE...
/Wright Eclipse Urban - Spare buses include buses from the First Eastern Counties Ipswich fleet and some from Suffolk County CouncilSuffolk County CouncilSuffolk County Council is the administrative authority for the county of Suffolk, England. It is run by 72 elected county councillors representing 63 divisions...
's own fleet of buses/coaches designed for school services