A flagship Sunderland bus service has been praised for providing an excellent transport link for great days out across the city this summer.
The Sunderland Connect service, 700, is now running a summer timetable, which offers greater options for families heading for Roker Beach to enjoy the summer holidays.
And with the Sunderland Airshow taking place this weekend, the 700 is a really handy link to see the aerial displays on the Roker sea front.
The familiar green liveried Sunderland Connect bus, which was launched in 2011, is a partnership between Sunderland City Council, the University of Sunderland and Nexus.
The 700 service offers great value, with an all-day family ticket for two adults and up to three children frozen in price at just £5.
Sunderland City Council Portfolio Holder for City Services, Cllr Michael Mordey, said: “We hope that extending the timetable and route of the very popular 700 service over the summer will encourage even more people to use it.
“We need to make public transport a preferred travel option when you’re planning a journey, 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 for the travelling public. We have an increased, regular service linking the city centre and our beautiful coastline at times and prices to suit everyone.”
Corporate Manager for Bus Services at Nexus, Mike Scott, said: “The Sunderland Connect bus route is a great success story for Sunderland.
"The service is really handy transport link across the city centre and the summer timetable makes it ideal for families to get out and about while the schools are on their summer break.”
The Sunderland Connect route links Harbour View and Marine Walk to the city centre, with the 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.
Sunderland Connect is 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.