Date: 23 August 2006 08:40

YOUR VIEWS HELP US TAKE PARK AND PRIDE

Views from Cambridge Park and Ride passengers given in a major survey will 
help improve the already award winning service.

Although around 90 per cent of those surveyed rated the parking provision, 
frequency of the service and the buses as excellent, good or average 
passengers did suggest ways of making it even better.

The survey, which was carried out in April and May, has been analysed and 
the outcomes will be included in the Park & Ride improvement plan, which 
aims to deliver a continued enhancement of the service.

Within the next year passengers will hopefully see:
* Changes to the way tickets are sold with investment in ticket machines at 
sites
* A new fleet of the latest Euro IV emission standard vehicles
* The introduction of monthly and annual tickets at discounted rates
* The gradual introduction of real time bus information on Park & Ride 
routes.
* Better links with National Express Coaches serving Cambridge from sites

Cambridgeshire County Councillor John Reynolds, Cabinet Member for 
Environment and Community Services, said: "We had an overwhelming response 
to the survey conducted this year and would like to thank all our customers 
for letting us know what they think about the service we provide in 
partnership with Stagecoach. We will now be looking at ways of taking those 
views forward and using them to  improve the service."

One lucky customer, Mrs Julia Collins from Saffron Walden, who took part in
the survey won £100 worth of Grafton Centre vouchers in a prize draw.

He added: "It was very important to encourage as many customers a possible 
to send us their views and I am delighted that the Grafton Centre offered 
this incentive".

Andy Campbell, Managing Director of Stagecoach, said: "The results of the 
survey are very valuable to us and now we have heard what our customers 
think we can work closely with Cambridgeshire County Council to make 
improvements to the service."

The long-term aim is to improve reliability on the service and encourage 
more people to give Park and Ride a try".

John Reynolds