If you’re planning to visit Leeds, you’ll be pleased to know that the city offers a convenient and eco-friendly transport option – Leeds Park and Ride. This service has been in operation for over a decade and has been a popular choice for both residents and visitors to the city. It’s an excellent option for those who want to avoid the stress of traffic and the hassle of finding somewhere to park in the city centre.
Leeds Park and Ride is a network of car parks located on the outskirts of the city. The car parks are well-connected to the city centre by frequent bus services, making it easy to travel into the city without having to worry about driving in traffic or finding a parking spot. The service is available seven days a week, including bank holidays, and is a cost-effective option for those who want to save money on parking fees.
The service is run by West Yorkshire Metro and offers three park and ride sites – Elland Road, Temple Green, and Stourton. All three sites are equipped with CCTV cameras and have dedicated disabled parking spaces. So, whether you’re visiting Leeds for work or leisure, Leeds Park and Ride is an excellent option to consider.
Overview of Leeds Park and Ride
What Is Park and Ride?
Park and Ride is a transportation system that allows you to park your car in a designated car park outside the city centre and then take a bus or a train to your destination. It is an efficient and eco-friendly way to travel to and from the city centre. Leeds City Centre has three Park and Ride sites: Elland Road, Temple Green, and Stourton. Each site has a large car park with CCTV and electric vehicle charging points.
Benefits of Using Park and Ride
Using Park and Ride has several benefits, including reducing congestion in the city centre, lowering carbon emissions, and saving you time and money. By using Park and Ride, you can avoid the stress of traffic and the hassle of finding a parking spot in the city centre. It is also more cost-effective than paying for city centre parking, with prices starting at just £3.20 for a return ticket.
Park and Ride also helps to reduce congestion in the city centre, which can lead to shorter journey times for everyone. By using public transport, you are also helping to reduce carbon emissions and improve air quality in the city. In fact, Leeds City Council has set a target to reduce carbon emissions by 50% by 2025, and Park and Ride is one of the ways they are achieving this target.
In summary, Park and Ride is an efficient, eco-friendly, and cost-effective way to travel to and from Leeds City Centre. It helps to reduce congestion, lower carbon emissions, and save you time and money. So next time you are planning a trip to the city centre, consider using Park and Ride.
Key Locations and Facilities
Leeds has three park and ride sites that offer a convenient and cost-effective way to travel into the city centre. Each park and ride site has its own unique features and facilities. Here is a breakdown of the key locations and facilities at each park and ride site:
Elland Road Park and Ride
Elland Road Park and Ride is located just off the A639 and A643, making it easily accessible from the M621 and M62 motorways. The site has capacity for 1,358 vehicles and is open from 6am to 8:30pm on weekdays, 7am to 6:50pm on Saturdays, and 10:10am to 5:30pm on Sundays. The address is LS11 0EB.
Facilities at Elland Road Park and Ride include free Wi-Fi on all buses, up to three children travelling free with every fare-paying adult, and disabled, cycle, and motorcycle spaces. There are also electric vehicle charging points available free of charge and a safe, secure, well-lit car park with CCTV.
Temple Green Park and Ride
Temple Green Park and Ride is located off the A63 Selby Road and is easily accessible from the M1 and M621 motorways. The site has capacity for 1,200 vehicles and is open from 6am to 8:30pm on weekdays, 7am to 6:50pm on Saturdays, and 10:10am to 5:30pm on Sundays.
Facilities at Temple Green Park and Ride include ticket machines that accept cash and card payments, free Wi-Fi on all buses, up to three children travelling free with every fare-paying adult, and disabled, cycle, and motorcycle spaces. There are also electric vehicle charging points available free of charge.
Stourton Park and Ride
Stourton Park and Ride is located off the A61, just south of Leeds city centre. The site has capacity for 1,000 vehicles and is open from 6am to 8:30pm on weekdays, 7am to 6:50pm on Saturdays, and 10:10am to 5:30pm on Sundays.
Facilities at Stourton Park and Ride include ticket machines that accept cash and card payments, free Wi-Fi on all buses, up to three children travelling free with every fare-paying adult, and disabled, cycle, and motorcycle spaces. There are also electric vehicle charging points available free of charge.
In conclusion, Leeds park and ride sites offer a convenient and cost-effective way to travel into the city centre. Each park and ride site has its own unique features and facilities, ensuring that you can choose the one that best suits your needs.
Tickets and Pricing
Types of Tickets Available
When it comes to Leeds park and ride, there are a variety of ticket options available to suit different needs. If you’re only using the park and ride service for a single day, you can purchase a day ticket. If you’re a frequent user of the service, you may want to consider purchasing an Mcard or a Metroday ticket. These tickets offer unlimited travel on buses and trains within West Yorkshire.
For those who only use the park and ride service on weekends, there are Weekender Tickets available. These tickets provide unlimited travel on Saturdays and Sundays. If you’re travelling with a group of up to five people, the Weekend Special 5 People ticket may be a good option for you.
If you’re a business or organisation looking to purchase tickets in bulk, there are Bulk X5 Day Tickets, Bulk X10 Day Tickets, and Bulk X20 Day Tickets available. These tickets offer a discounted rate per day, making them a cost-effective option for regular park and ride users.
Fare Information
The fare for Leeds park and ride varies depending on the ticket type and the number of people travelling. If you’re travelling alone, the daily fare for Elland Road Park and Ride is £4. For Temple Green Park and Ride, the daily fare is also £4. If you’re travelling with a group of up to five people, the Weekend Special 5 People ticket provides unlimited travel on Saturdays and Sundays for just £6.50.
For those who use the park and ride service frequently, a Rolling Monthly Ticket may be a good option. This ticket provides unlimited travel on buses and trains within West Yorkshire, including park and ride services.
Concessions and Special Offers
If you’re a Travel Plan Network member, you can benefit from an annual Park & Ride ticket for £580. This ticket provides unlimited travel on park and ride services within Leeds. Children under the age of 19 can travel for free when accompanied by a fare-paying adult.
If you have an electric vehicle, there are electric vehicle spaces available with free charging points at some park and ride sites. There are also disabled, cycle, and motorcycle spaces available at all park and ride sites.
Overall, Leeds park and ride offers a range of ticket options to suit different needs and budgets. Whether you’re a frequent user or just need to use the service for a single day, there’s a ticket option that can work for you.
Bus Services and Timetables
If you’re planning to use the Leeds Park and Ride service, it’s important to know about the bus services and timetables available. This section will provide you with all the essential information you need to know.
Core Bus Network
Leeds has a comprehensive bus network that covers most of the city. The Core Bus Network is a group of bus routes that are designed to provide frequent, reliable, and easy-to-use bus services. The Leeds City Bus Service 5 is one of the routes that’s part of the Core Bus Network. This service runs every 10 minutes during peak hours and every 15 minutes during off-peak hours.
Bus Service Frequency
The frequency of bus services varies depending on the route and the time of day. Some services run every few minutes during peak hours, while others may only run once an hour. It’s important to check the bus timetables to ensure that you don’t miss your bus.
Real-Time Information and Alerts
The Your Next Bus service provides real-time information about bus services in Leeds. You can use this service to find out when the next bus is due at your stop, as well as receive alerts about any disruptions or delays to your service.
Bus Timetable Changes
Bus timetables can change throughout the year, so it’s important to keep up-to-date with any changes that may affect your journey. You can check the latest bus timetables and maps on the First Bus website. If you’re a regular user of the Park and Ride service, you can also sign up for email alerts to receive notifications about any changes to the service.
In summary, the bus services and timetables available in Leeds are comprehensive and easy to use. By checking the Core Bus Network, bus service frequency, real-time information and alerts, and bus timetable changes, you can ensure that you have a smooth and stress-free journey on the Park and Ride service.
Accessibility and Additional Services
Facilities for Disabled Passengers
Leeds park and ride facilities are designed to be accessible to all passengers, including those with disabilities. All park and ride sites have disabled parking spaces located close to the bus stops, making it easy to board and alight the bus. Additionally, all park and ride buses are wheelchair accessible, with low floors and ramps to make boarding and alighting easy.
Other Amenities at Park and Ride Sites
Leeds park and ride sites offer a range of amenities to make your journey as comfortable and convenient as possible. All sites have free Wi-Fi available, allowing you to stay connected while you travel. There are also waiting rooms at all sites, providing shelter from the weather while you wait for your bus.
If you need to use the toilet, all park and ride sites have facilities available, including accessible toilets for disabled passengers. Height restriction barriers are in place at all sites, with a maximum height of 2.35 metres, to ensure that only vehicles that can safely fit under the barriers are allowed to enter the car park.
In summary, Leeds park and ride facilities are designed to be accessible and convenient for all passengers, including those with disabilities. With a range of amenities available, including free Wi-Fi, waiting rooms, and toilets, your journey is sure to be comfortable and stress-free.
Travel Planning and Network Integration
Integrating Park and Ride with Your Travel Plan
Leeds City Council’s Travel Plan Network is a free membership scheme for any employer in West Yorkshire who is committed to encouraging their staff to travel to work sustainably. Members and their staff can access various benefits including Enterprise Car Club membership, support with car sharing, and relocation support. If you are a member of the Travel Plan Network, you can also benefit from an annual Park & Ride ticket for £580.
Integrating park and ride with your travel plan can help reduce vehicle congestion and improve local air quality. Elland Road Park and Ride was expanded in 2020 by an additional 550 park and ride spaces and has capacity for 1,358 vehicles. If every space was used, this would be equivalent to taking over 1,000 cars off the road each day.
Connecting to Other Forms of Public Transport
Leeds City Council’s Connecting Leeds transport strategy aims to transform travel in the city by improving public transport, cycling, and walking infrastructure. The strategy includes the delivery of new cycle superhighways and public transport enhancements, such as the country’s first fully solar-powered park and ride facility that has opened at Stourton, operated with new electric buses connecting into the city centre.
In addition to park and ride, there are other forms of public transport available in Leeds, including free town and city buses, Citybus, school transport, and The Dales by Bus and Train. The Bus Passenger Charter sets out the standards of service that you can expect when travelling by bus in West Yorkshire.
By connecting park and ride with other forms of public transport, you can enjoy a seamless journey across the city. The Travel Plan Network can also help you plan your journey and access the most sustainable travel options available to you.
Environmental Impact and Sustainability
Reducing Carbon Footprint through Park and Ride
Leeds park and ride services are playing a vital role in reducing carbon emissions in the city. By encouraging people to use public transport, the park and ride sites help reduce the number of cars on the road, which in turn reduces traffic congestion and air pollution. According to a news article, the new £38.5 million park and ride in Stourton, which is part of Connecting Leeds’ ambition to improve the bus network, provide better connectivity, and reduce carbon emissions in the city, will have a significant impact on reducing carbon emissions.
The park and ride sites are also contributing to the UK’s target to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The UK’s first solar-powered park and ride, which opened in Stourton in 2021, is a great example of how park and ride services can be sustainable and environmentally friendly. According to Climate Action, the solar panels installed at the park and ride site generate enough energy to power the entire facility, which means the site is self-sufficient and does not rely on the national grid.
Sustainable Features of Park and Ride Sites
In addition to reducing carbon emissions, park and ride sites in Leeds have several sustainable features that make them environmentally friendly. For example, the new park and ride in Stourton has a rainwater harvesting system that collects rainwater and uses it to flush toilets and water plants. This system reduces the amount of water consumed by the facility and helps conserve water resources.
The park and ride sites also have charging points for electric vehicles, which encourages people to use electric cars and reduces the number of petrol and diesel cars on the road. This initiative helps reduce carbon emissions and air pollution.
Another sustainable feature of the park and ride sites is the use of sustainable materials in construction. For example, the new park and ride in Stourton was built using sustainable building materials, such as timber and recycled materials. This approach reduces the environmental impact of the construction process and promotes sustainability.
Overall, the park and ride services in Leeds are playing a significant role in reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainability. The sustainable features of the park and ride sites, such as rainwater harvesting and the use of sustainable materials, make them environmentally friendly and contribute to the UK’s target to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the operating hours for Leeds Park and Ride services?
Leeds Park and Ride services operate from early morning until late evening throughout the week, with some sites offering extended hours. The exact operating hours vary depending on the site and the day of the week. You can find detailed information on the operating hours for each site on the Leeds City Council website.
How much does it cost to use the Park and Ride facilities in Leeds?
The cost of using the Park and Ride facilities in Leeds varies depending on the site and the duration of your stay. You can purchase a ticket for a single journey, a day return, or a weekly pass. The prices for each option also vary depending on whether you are travelling as an adult, a child, or a concessionary pass holder. You can find detailed information on the prices for each site on the Leeds City Council website.
Can vehicles be left overnight at any of the Leeds Park and Ride sites?
No, vehicles cannot be left overnight at any of the Leeds Park and Ride sites. All vehicles must be removed from the site by the end of the operating hours. Any vehicles left overnight may be subject to a penalty charge notice.
Are there any Park and Ride services available on Saturdays in Leeds?
Yes, Park and Ride services are available on Saturdays in Leeds. The operating hours may be different from those on weekdays, so it’s important to check the Leeds City Council website for the most up-to-date information.
What are the best Park and Ride options for accessing Leeds City Centre?
The best Park and Ride options for accessing Leeds City Centre depend on your starting location and your preferred mode of transport. Some of the most popular Park and Ride sites for accessing Leeds City Centre include Elland Road, Temple Green, and Stourton. You can find detailed information on the location and facilities of each site on the Leeds City Council website.
Where can I find a route map for the Leeds Park and Ride services?
You can find a route map for the Leeds Park and Ride services on the Leeds City Council website. The route map shows the locations of all the Park and Ride sites, as well as the routes and stops of the buses that serve each site.
