New bus route to link Handy Cross with business park and town centre
A new bus route linking Handy Cross with Cressex Business Park, High Wycombe rail station and town centre starts on Monday 29 July. And return tickets will be free.
Route 8 will run every 20 minutes from Handy Cross park-and-ride, to serve the business park, hospital, rail station and town centre before returning to Handy Cross. A few special direct express services between Handy Cross and the station will run in the morning and evening peak hours for commuters.
Parking at Handy Cross park-and-ride is free, and return travel on Mondays to Fridays will be free for passengers from Handy Cross direct to the business park, hospital, station or town centre until the end of next March (2020). The aim is to encourage business park workers to leave their cars at Handy Cross and catch the bus, to relieve congestion at peak times.
The service, run by Carousel Buses, is being supported financially by both Wycombe District and Buckinghamshire County Councils, using funding from developers. It combines routes PR1 and PR2, run by Carousel, and Arriva’s route 34, operating with the same frequency but at reduced cost.
Julia Adey, Wycombe’s Environment Cabinet Member said: “We’re pleased to be able to continue providing the free park and ride service at Handy Cross until April 2020. This will benefit both rail users and, with the new combined bus service, those travelling to Cressex Business Park.”
Mark Shaw, Buckinghamshire’s Deputy Leader and Transport Cabinet Member said it was important for both councils to work together with local bus companies to ensure the long-term viability of supported routes which were useful to residents, shoppers and commuters, and helped reduce congestion.
“With free parking and free travel from Handy Cross, this is a brilliant example of supporting sustainable travel with a good level of service that will encourage people to use the bus,” said Mark.
There is no change to the free travel concession for Chiltern Railway season ticket holders.
The new Carousel Route 8 timetable is at www.buckscc.gov.uk/media/4514101/8-x8.pdf