Hambledon residents who use concessionary passes to travel free on the Park and Ride service when visiting Guildford may like to know that there is a proposal to start charging a £1 return fare.

Surrey County Council which operates the service is inviting comments on the proposed changes as part of a consultation process. This ends on September 1.

The proposal will only affect passengers who use an older or disabled persons concessionary pass.

The council has put out the following statement: “Surrey County Council is under enormous financial pressure, due to reduced government funding and extra demand for vital services. This has meant the council has had to review all the services it provides for its residents.

One of these services is Guildford Park and Ride. To help sustain these services in the face of funding pressures, we are proposing to change our policy for concessionary travel on these services. Currently concessionary pass holders can travel for free on these services (except older concessionary pass holders, who are charged half a full fare for travel before 9:30am).

The proposal is to replace free concessionary travel on Guildford Park and Ride services with a £1 concessionary day return fare, applicable all day Monday to Saturday (including Bank Holidays if the service is in operation)

Guildford’s Park and Ride is subsidised by Surrey County Council and Guildford Borough Council at cost of £600,000 annually, including £200,000 to fund free concessionary travel. The proposal to introduce a concessionary charge will help the council maintain this service in light of the funding pressures. Concessionary pass holders will still be able to make all their trips on local buses for free.

Residents can take part in the consultation by completing the online questionnaire at surreycc.gov.uk/parkandride or
By completing the paper questionnaire available in libraries, local council offices and at Guildford Park and Ride sites.
By phoning 0300 200 1003 (SMS: 07527 182 861) to request a paper copy of the questionnaire in standard, easy read or large print format sent straight to their door.
By Email to [email protected]
By writing to: Guildford Park and Ride Concessionary Travel Consultation, Room 365, County Hall, Kingston Upon Thames KT1 2DN

Next steps
The findings of this consultation will inform the final proposals, which will go to Guildford Local Committee. Any agreed changes will be widely communicated to residents and stakeholders from early October with the changes coming into effect from late October 2015.

For more information, please visit surreycc.gov.uk/parkandride