Visitors to Boscombe Pier are being encouraged to jump aboard the bus this summer to beat the traffic and enjoy the views.

A special bus service will operate between Boscombe Pier, Boscombe precinct, Hawkwood Road car park and Pokesdown railway station everyday during June, July and August.

On Saturdays and Sundays the service will be extended to the Littledown Centre providing a park and ride facility for visitors travelling in to Bournemouth from the Wessex Way.

Rail passengers travelling into Pokesdown station will also be able to take advantage and travel for free, on presentation of a valid railcard to and from Boscombe Pier using this service.

Three buses, operated by Shamrock Coaches will be running on this route including an open top vehicle, each with a distinctive design.

Councillor Robert Lawton, Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport: “We’re so pleased to be able to secure this special summer bus service. We hope it will be of great benefit to the area and help relieve congestion and parking problems in and around Boscombe. Visitors will be able to leave their cars and let the bus take the strain so they can relax and enjoy their trip without the worry of finding a place to park.”

Notes

The bus service will operate daily every 20 minutes between 10am and 7pm.

Part of the car park at Hawkwood Road will be set aside for long-stay car parking and will cost £4.00 per car for the day which includes free bus travel to and from the pier for all car passengers.

The Littledown park and ride service will cost £5.00 per car with free use of the bus service to and from Boscombe.

The service will be available for other passengers on this route who will be charged the usual fares with concessionary card holders travelling for free.

South West Trains are sponsoring this bus link.

Sea Road leading down to the pier will be a ‘clearway’ to ensure there is a clear accessible route for the buses to operate and this area will be enforced by the parking team.