Local people will be able to travel by bus for free to and from the Coronation Big Lunch and other celebrations across Portsmouth during the King’s Coronation weekend.
Portsmouth City Council has collaborated with local bus companies First Solent and Stagecoach to offer free travel, on all bus routes, on Sunday 7 May, for journeys starting within the Portsmouth boundary.
Families and other passengers can save money on their journeys to celebrate the coronation, to the royal knees up at Victoria Park, as well as offering a sustainable way to travel to any other coronation celebrations they have planned. The scheme covers travel in and around Portsmouth and excludes return journeys from outside the city.
This fare free Sunday, on all bus routes, will help people to reduce the number of cars on the road, on what is set to be a busy day, and help stop the stress of searching for a parking spot.
Paul Walker the council’s National Bus Strategy Delivery Manager, said “It is hoped that this will give people a convenient and easy way of getting around the city, to get to coronation celebrations on Sunday 7 May with family and friends.”
The Bus Service Improvement Plan, a £48 million investment by government in Portsmouth, is behind the scheme. It is designed to improve bus travel for residents and make it the preferred mode of transport. The scheme is aimed at reducing the environmental impact of travel, improving air quality, and making public transport more accessible and affordable. This initiative also aims to build on the success of free buses in March where we saw an increase in bus passengers.
Residents thinking of catching the bus for the first time can be confident that it is a quick and easy way to travel around the city. Plan your journey by downloading the First Bus / Stagecoach apps. Find out more about public transport in Portsmouth at travel.portsmouth.gov.uk/public-transport/.
To find out more about the Coronation events visit Portsmouth City Council’s website www.portsmouth.gov.uk/coronation