Bus firm urges council to rethink plans for park and ride charges

Perth-based bus operator Stagecoach has urged Fife Council to reverse proposals for charges at park and ride sites.

It claims a fee for parking at Ferrytoll and Halbeath, where motorists currently park for free, could push people back into their cars and add to congestion and carbon emissions.

However, the council said many used the service for free parking for Edinburgh Airport and its budget agreed on Thursday included the proposal for a “modest” charge.

Stagecoach East Scotland said bus usage fell by 14% in Cambridge after a £1 park and ride charge was introduced four years ago, and there are already plans to scrap the fare.

Managing director Paul Thomas said: “We understand that the council faces difficult financial decisions, however we have real concerns over what appear to be short-sighted proposals to introduce a parking charge at the park and ride sites.

“As we’ve seen elsewhere, this kind of charging scheme will hit regular commuters hard, potentially resulting in fewer people using the facilities and higher car use, contributing to even worse traffic congestion on our roads.”

The council’s budget statement said: “Whilst we recognise the importance of encouraging travellers to choose public transport over car usage, significant numbers of people are using these facilities as longstay car parks while they are on holiday, rather than using expensive airport parking.

“The cost of these two facilities to the council is estimated at around £350,000 a year, including non-domestic rates, so it is only right that users are expected to make a contribution towards these costs.”