Hospital park & ride service to be permanent
By Paul Rogers, Local Democracy Reporter
The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust (SaTH), Shropshire Council and Arriva launched the trial in January, allowing patients and visitors to use the existing staff bus service.
Now, they will have full access from May 19 with a return journey costing £1. Holders of a disabled person’s bus pass and children under the age of 16 will be able to travel for free.
Buses will run every 15 to 20 minutes between 6.20am to 9.25pm from the car park at the Oxon Park & Ride site to the Treatment Centre, which is the current main entrance of the hospital.
There is currently no service on Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays.
“We have been really pleased with the feedback from our patients during the trial and we are delighted to be able to offer this as a permanent option going forward,” said Paula Gardner, interim chief nursing officer at SaTH.
“We know that having an alternative to trying to find a parking space on site has been the biggest benefit to our patients.
“This is a great service for those who are able to use it. Using the Park & Ride is quick and easy and has the benefit of freeing up spaces for those who need to park at RSH.
“We will continue to look at all the ways we can improve parking on-site at our hospitals, leading to a better patient experience.”
Heather Kidd, leader-elect of Shropshire Council, added: “I’m delighted that this trial service has proved to be both successful and popular and that it will shortly become permanent. It really does mean that patients and visitors don’t have to worry about driving to, or parking at, the hospital and I hope people will continue to make good use of it in the future.”
Buses can be used any time from 6.20am to 9.25pm. People are advised that, as it is also a staff service, buses before 10am and after 3pm will be busier.
There is currently no service on Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays.
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