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Transport Minister Danny Kennedy has opened a new Park and Ride (P&R) facility at Millbrook, near Larne.
The Minister said: "The Millbrook Park and Ride site, provided by the Department, provides the local community in Larne and East Antrim the opportunity to park their cars safely and make their onward journey aboard a coach or bus service. This is another step in the right direction towards more sustainable transport options and hopefully this will encourage more people out of their cars and unto public transport, and reduce road congestion.
"The site removes vehicles from the adjacent Old Belfast Road and the residential area. Roads Service has also incorporated a traffic island close to the bus boarder so that residents can cross the road safely when seeking to use the bus.
"Drivers can use the facility to park their vehicles and share the onward journey into Belfast, or to link into existing public services, thereby reducing car occupancy on what is a key corridor into Belfast.
"The scheme which cost £330,000 provides 84 car parking spaces, of which six spaces are designated for people with disabilities."
The following Goldline and Ulsterbus Services operate from the site:
•Goldline Service 256 Larne - Belfast
•Ulsterbus Service 156 Larne – Ballyclare - Belfast
•Ulsterbus Service 154 Larne – Ballyclare - Antrim
Mr Sam Todd, Service Delivery Manager for Larne said: "Park and Ride is an important part of Translink's plans to provide customers with integrated convenient and attractive travel solutions. With a combined service of every 30 minutes at the peak and hourly off peak, this new facility makes it easy for our customers to transfer from their car onto the coach or bus. Regular car commuters will no doubt be feeling the effects of increased motoring costs. In these austere times we would encourage people to look at our great everyday value ticket types and see how using the bus could help save them money by reducing their fuel costs and not having to pay for car parking."
(CD/GK)
