More than 5.6 million journeys have been made using Leeds’ Park and Ride service since the first site opened a decade ago.
The data has been revealed by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and Leeds City Council as part of celebrations to mark ten years since the opening of Elland Road Park and Ride.
Due to the success of the Elland Road facility, the Combined Authority and Council introduced two more sites at Temple Green and Stourton.
The journeys have been made at the three sites combined.
And in the last 10 years, Park and Ride has saved 2.5 million cars travelling into Leeds City Centre – helping to reduce the amount of traffic and emissions.
Supporting the Combined Authority’s mission to be net-zero carbon by 2038, Stourton was the UK’s first fully solar-powered park and ride site and is served by zero-emission electric buses, while services using Elland Road and Temple Green are all hybrid.
Leeds’ Park and Ride is vital to the Combined Authority’s ongoing work to create a modern, integrated transport network with a Mass Transit system, bus services being brought back under public control, and with greater walking and cycling facilities.
Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin attended an anniversary celebration event at the Elland Road site this week. She said:
“Millions of journeys have been made on the Park and Ride system – showing the brilliant impact it has had on the city.
“Having fewer cars in the city centre and more people using sustainable modes of transport are crucial to helping us become a net zero carbon region by 2038.
“It’s fantastic to celebrate this milestone as we continue our work to create a greener, better-connected West Yorkshire.”
Councillor Jonathan Pryor, Leeds City Council’s executive member for economy, transport and sustainable development, said:
“It’s fantastic that we are celebrating a decade of the first Park and Ride service in Leeds.
“The growth of the service over the last 10 years has enabled even more people who live, work in or visit the city to switch to public transport and reduce their impact on the environment.
“The Park and Ride is just one of the ways that we’re reducing reliance on the car for shorter journeys and encouraging people to try greener modes of travel.”
The Mayor met colleagues from Leeds City Council, First Bus, and Franklin Wilson – who has worked at the Elland Road site since it opened.
Megan Hope, Operations Director of First North and West Yorkshire, said:
“We’re proud of our involvement since day one of the Leeds Park and Ride network and supporting the Combined Authority in helping to reduce traffic into the city.
“Our team has provided a professional and pleasurable service to millions of customers over the past decade. And to have our driver Franklin still at the steering wheel 10 years later is a tribute to their dedication.”
Further celebratory events are planned at Stourton on Monday (12 August) and Temple Green on Monday 19 August, with free coffee available at each site.
Passengers can make use of all three Park and Ride facilities from Monday to Friday, with Stourton also open on Saturdays.
The Park and Ride service provides free parking across all sites, where people can park their car and catch the bus into the city centre.
More information can be found at: wymetro.com/buses/parkandride.
This post is based on a press release issued by West Yorkshire Combined Authority
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There would have been a lot more journeys if they hadn’t pulled the service at the weekend to cut costs.
They have to pay for west Yorkshire mayor and her crounies so no overtime for the bus drivers