Durham park and ride plan outlined to attract more users

Durham County Council says a change in working behaviours and the introduction of free off-street car parking from 2pm has seen less people use the service. 

Figures show 430,087 people used the service in 2022-23, up on the previous Covid-affected year, but down on 2019/20 when 936,170 passengers were recorded. 

Durham County Council says it is working to implement a wide range of changes to improve passengers’ experiences using the service. 

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The service currently operates out of three car parks at Belmont, Sniperley and Howlands Farm. The Monday-Saturday service costs £2, with discounts offered to concessions. 

On the drop in passengers, a council report reads: “Commuters are predominately the main users of the service and therefore the changes in working behaviours following the pandemic such as hybrid working has contributed to the reduction. 

“From April 2021, we introduced free parking after 2pm across County Durham for both on street and off street parking, as a stimulus to support economic recovery, which impacted on patronage on the park and ride.”

The local authority has removed free on-street parking in Durham City after 2pm but the discount still applies to off-street car parks in the city. But charges could soon be introduced alongside a Sunday park and ride service later this year. 

A new bus contract was introduced in October 2022 to improve patronage of customers, with a new fleet of larger, more appealing buses. The Belmont site has also been redeveloped, while Sniperley’s car park is due to be extended. 

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The report adds: “This will provide more parking availability to safeguard increased demand from future development in the city; and reduce congestion and greenhouse gas emissions within the historic city centre itself, and also along a key road leading into the city.”

The park and ride service is also popular during the city’s main events including university open days, Miners Gala, Durham City Run and Lumiere by providing additional services.

A customer satisfaction survey will be undertaken later this year, to develop a better understanding of our customer requirements, needs and usage to inform service improvements, the council added.