Council supports Christmas travel into the city with half price Park & Ride fares

Council supports Christmas travel into the city with half price Park & Ride fares

The Christmas countdown has started and Chester city centre is preparing for an influx of shoppers and visitors.  Cheshire West and Chester Council is encouraging visitors to give the Park & Ride a try.

The frequent service helps visitors to enjoy everything the city has to offer this Christmas, quickly and easily, with fares now half price, at just £1, until 9 January 2022; while also reducing traffic queues and pollution.

To help get festivities off to a good start, as well as subsiding low price fares, the Council has also extended the service every Thursday up to Christmas, for late night Christmas shopping.

Chester’s own ELFie and ChELFie hopping on the Park & Ride

Families with children coming into the city can take advantage of free travel for under 16s, if they are accompanied by a fare paying adult.

The three Park & Ride sites at Wrexham Road, Upton (Chester Zoo) and Boughton have a total of over 2,400 free parking spaces, a bus every 10 to 12 minutes and 12-minute journey times.

The Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Environment, Highways and Strategic Transport, Councillor Karen Shore said: “If you’re thinking of coming into Chester this festive season, please use the Park & Ride.  Why not take advantage of the late-night shopping, as every Thursday up to Christmas, the last bus back to the three Park & Ride sites will be around 9pm, rather than 7pm.

You’ll be doing your bit to cut Christmas congestion as queues build during the busy build up to the festive season.  Recently, we’ve all become more aware of the climate emergency and the need to all play our part to reduce emissions, using the Park and Ride is the perfect way to do this.

“You’ll also be travelling safely as all our buses are subject to a rigorous cleansing regime and face masks are available on board, if you choose to wear one.  Our stylish and comfortable Park & Ride buses have USB charging, free wifi and premium seating.  Jumping on the bus means no parking charges and travel into the city is now half price at just £1 for a return ticket until 9 January 2022.”

More information, timetables and routes are available on the Council’s website, including where to park.

Christmas and New Year extended services and operations 2021-22

Chester Park and Ride will operate extended services for the late night shopping in Chester.

A special Christmas period fare £1 Day Return is in operation until 9 January 2022.

City Centre park and ride stop maps

Times of operation 

  • Monday to Friday: between 7am and 7pm
  • Saturdays: between 8am and 7pm
  • Sundays and Bank Holidays: between 9.30am and 5.30pm
  • Except for Christmas day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day when the service will not run.

Published 25th November 2021