Free bus is a hit with Warwick workers
A free lunchtime bus ferrying workers from a Warwick business park into the town centre is to continue following the success of its pilot.
The bus has been provided for workers at telent on the Opus Business Park (near the A46) since July, and the Warwickshire County Council funded ‘Free Ride Friday’ is to continue.
The scheme was launched by the council in response to concerns from traders around the closure of Westgate Car Park during construction of the town’s new bus station.
telent relocated its Head Office from Coventry in February 2008 and many employees had never ventured into Warwick town centre to shop or visit.
Paul Harris, the company’s Head of Infrastructure, said: “Warwick is such a lovely town and has more to offer than many people think. We are pleased that we are helping to increase trade in the town but we have also boosted morale by offering staff the opportunity to take advantage of the shops, restaurants and things like the monthly farmer’s market.
“Staff can do this without having to use their cars or waste time trying to find a parking space in town.”
Cllr Chris Saint, Portfolio Holder for Economic Development at Warwickshire County Council, said: “We are pleased that telent staff are making full use of the free lunchtime bus. The cost of putting on the extra run for telent staff has been marginal and is by far outweighed by the economic benefit of the additional people each week spending money in the town’s shops, pubs and restaurants.”
Sue Butcher, Chair of the Warwick Chamber of Trade, added: “The Chamber are delighted with the ‘Free Ride Friday’ scheme and the way the County Council pulled it off so quickly in response to our fears about loss of business.
"Some traders, such as the Rose & Crown, have reported an increase in footfall or trade on a Friday since the scheme started and, in light of the current economic downturn, schemes like this are even more valuable.”
In addition to ‘Free Ride Friday’, Stagecoach have agreed to make their regular service from Warwick Technology Park £1 return to the town centre every week day lunchtime for a trial period, less than a third of the usual cost.
With so many people working so close to the town centre, it is hoped by making it easy and cheap to get in and out that more people will be encouraged to use the bus and shop and eat in the town. The trial will be up and running at the beginning of December, in time to help boost Christmas trade.