A new city centre bus service linking Sunderland’s biggest attractions and amenities starts service this month - for full timetable and fare details click here.
The ‘Sunderland Connect’ 700 route will run from Monday 12 September, funded by a unique partnership between Sunderland City Council, the University of Sunderland and Nexus.
The new route will connect major city centre attractions and amenities, including the Stadium of Light and Aquatic Centre, St Peter’s and the National Glass Centre, the Winter Gardens and Royal Hospital.
It will also provide new links to student halls in Millfield, and in the summer of 2012, Sunderland Connect will provide local links for residents living near Dame Dorothy Street, and be extended to Sunderland Marina, giving residents and visitors access to the seafront.
And from October Sunderland Connect, operated by Go North East on behalf of the partnership, will feature brand new ‘green’ vehicles with a distinctive branding and environmentally-friendly hybrid engines to keep down emissions.
Councillor Paul Watson, Leader of the City Council, said: “The new Sunderland Connect service is a welcome addition to the city which will provide a much needed way for people to reach a number of key attractions across Sunderland.
“We are delighted to be working in partnership with Nexus and the University of Sunderland to launch the new route.”
Bernard Garner, Director General of Nexus, said: “Sunderland Connect provides new local links for residents and students, while also creating an attractive and easy way for visitors to get around.”
Sunderland Connect will begin service on 12 September, a week later than originally planned but in time for the start of the new university year.
The full route runs from Park Lane interchange via the University’s City Campus on Chester Road, Royal Hospital and Hylton Road to student halls in Millfield.
It will cross the Wearmouth Bridge, stopping at the St Peter’s Metro Station, before passing the Stadium of Light and Aquatic Centre, continuing to the National Glass Centre and St Peter’s Campus.
It will then come back into the city, through Sunniside and past the Museum and Winter Gardens to Park Lane.