Convenient, affordable journeys to Southsea are back this summer as Portsmouth Park and Ride adds a PR3 weekend service, running between 6 June and 13 September.
The PR1 and PR3 services provide a simple and affordable alternative to driving and parking in the city, allowing passengers to enjoy smooth, stress-free journeys into Portsmouth, Southsea and the seafront. The PR3 route offers a quick 16-minute journey from just off junction 1 of the M275 to Clarence Pier, with buses running every 30 minutes at weekends.
For the second year running, the early June launch allows visitors to travel directly to Southsea in time for major early summer events on Southsea Common, including Portsmouth Pride on 6 June and Armed Forces Day on 20 June.
By introducing the service earlier in the season, Portsmouth City Council is giving people travelling from the north of the city and further afield more opportunities to enjoy weekends by the sea. The service will also run into September, making it easier for visitors to attend the popular Portsmouth International Kite Festival on 12 and 13 September.
With a packed summer programme to explore, Portsmouth is set to be an even more attractive destination as the city celebrates its centenary year. Park and ride makes it easy for visitors to enjoy the celebrations, including events and festivals. It provides convenient access to the Pride of Portsmouth Lions trail, which runs throughout July and August, as well as summer strolls along the newly opened section of Southsea’s seafront between the Blue Reef Aquarium and the Hovertravel terminal.
Cllr Peter Candlish, Cabinet Member for Transport, said: “Park and ride makes it easy for residents and visitors to reach the city, and we’re delighted to extend this to include the PR3 summer weekend service to Southsea and the seafront.
“Our PR1 service demonstrates just how popular and effective park and ride can be. It’s great that, during this special centenary year, we can welcome even more people to enjoy Portsmouth and Southsea with affordable, hassle-free travel. By reducing traffic, park and ride also supports our ambition to be a greener, healthier city.”
Peter Matthews, Commercial Development Manager, First Bus South, who operate the service for Portsmouth City Council, said: “It’s fantastic to be providing the PR3 Park & Ride service again for the summer, making it easier than ever for visitors and locals to travel directly to Southsea. It’s a stress-free, convenient, and perfect way to explore – leave the car behind and enjoy the ride.”
Recent road upgrades are improving journey times by making access to and from the park and ride site faster and more efficient. Changes to the road layout, including a dedicated bus lane on the south side of the roundabout into Tipner Lane, are helping to reduce delays by allowing buses to enter and exit the site more easily.
Further planned improvements, which include extending the bus lane southwards to join the existing bus lane towards Rudmore roundabout to ease queuing on the M275, will continue to enhance access into the city.
For more information, visit https://parkandride.portsmouth.gov.uk