Families are making the most of an improved city centre bus route in Sunderland.
And there is great value, with an all-day family ticket for two adults and up to three children frozen in price at just £5.
The Hanson family from Sunderland, Dawn her two children Caitlin and Ben, were joined by Sunderland City Council Portfolio Holder for City Services, Councillor Michael Mordey to try out the expanded 700 service.
The popular Sunderland Connect route links Harbour View and Marine Walk to the city centre, with a new Sunday service added to give families and visitors a better to link to the city’s attractions.
Sunderland Connect, powered by a fleet of greener hybrid buses, already passes the Empire Theatre, Stadium of Light, Aquatic Centre, St Peter’s Church, National Glass Centre and Winter Gardens – as well as city centre shops, rail and Metro stations.
The bus route is a partnership between Sunderland City Council, the University of Sunderland and Nexus.
Cllr Mordey, said: “We hope that extending the timetable and route of this very popular service over the summer months, will encourage even more people to use it.
“We need to make public transport more people’s preferred travel option and this bus service is an affordable and convenient way for families and visitors to get around.
“This service is a great example of what we’re all working together to provide, with an increased, regular service linking the city centre and our beautiful coastline at times and prices to suit everyone.”
Tobyn Hughes, Deputy Director General of Nexus, said: “The summer timetable on service 700 is proving popular with families. The fares are great value for money and provide a link to the city’s spectacular coastline. We expect the service to be well used now that the schools are on the summer break.”
Buses, operated under contract by Go North East, run every 20 minutes during the week and every half hour at weekends.
An all-day hop-on-hop-off ticket is just £2.10 for adults and £5 for a family of two adults and up to three children. The summer timetable has been in place from 28 June and runs until 12 September 2014.
Sunderland Connect, powered by a fleet of greener hybrid buses, already passes the Empire Theatre, Stadium of Light, Aquatic Centre, St Peter’s Church, National Glass Centre and Winter Gardens – as well as city centre shops, rail and Metro stations.
The bus route is a partnership between Sunderland City Council, the University of Sunderland and Nexus.