A FREE bus service which was trialled last summer, providing links from Stainton Village and the surrounding areas to the busy Parkway Shopping Centre, has been hailed so much of a success, the centre has announced an additional day.
The service, funded exclusively by the shopping centre, which started in July last year ran on a Monday and was operated by G L Coaches who offered a wheelchair accessible 16 – 24 seater coach. From the beginning the service proved to be very popular, with many shoppers deeming it a “lifeline” for the elderly and those who relied on public transport living in the outlining villages.
Starting from w/c 9th April 2018 the community bus will also be running every Friday, along with the original Monday service.
Zoe France, Centre Manager explains; “After the original local authority bus service was cut in 2016, we really wanted to be able to help those residents in the more isolated villages, and were encouraged to hear by so many, how much of a difference the bus made to people’s lives. We’ve continued to listen to our shoppers who use the service and realised they wanted to visit more often, with many wishing to shop before the weekend”.
Zoe continues: “The Friday service will be funded by our parking contractor Northern Parking Service (NPS), with the aim to be accessible to all within the community, reaching out to those vulnerable in the community particularly villages Thornton & Stainton.
Darren James Director of Northern Parking Services, said: “We are very happy to be joining forces with The Parkway, helping to provide such a rewarding and important initiative. The commitment that the Parkway has shown to its community is inspiring. Its not just about what goes on the shopping centre, its about reaching out into the local community and listening to what people need, which ties in strongly to our own company principles”.
The Parkway Community Bus will continue to pick up at 10.30am from The Bluebell Acklam Road, Jack Simon Way (new housing estate “Upper Acklam”), Maltby Village, Thornton Village, Stainton Village, Hemlington Hall Road and Coulby Farm Way, arriving at the Parkway Centre for 11am.
The shuttle service will then pick up residents from Turnberry Way, Guisborough Road, Connaught Road, The Avenue, Cypress Road and Gunnergate Lane arriving back at The Parkway Centre for 11.30am.
Return journeys will be at 1.30pm, returning to Acklam first, followed by a 2pm pick up from the centre, returning to the Marton areas.