Leicester launches extended bus services for Christmas shoppers

Special Sunday Park and Ride services will launch across Leicester this December, offering extended festive travel options for Christmas shoppers. The initiative aims to make city centre access easier during the busy holiday period.

The services will operate from all three sites - Enderby, Meynell's Gorse and Birstall - between 10am and 5.30pm on the first four Sundays of December - beginning tomorrow (Sunday, December 1) - with buses running every 15 minutes. Regular weekday services will continue to operate Monday to Saturday from 7am to 7pm every 15 minutes across all routes, Leicester City Council has confirmed.

Additional flexible ticketing options on Leicester buses have also been annouced by The Leicester Bus Partnership. These include family passes which allow up to two adults and three children to travel all day for £11 during term time or £8 in school holidays, while single fares across the network are capped at £2.

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Adult day tickets cost £3.50, while group tickets for up to five people travelling together are priced at £4. The service offers additional concessions with £1 travel for concessionary passengers, while under-fives and NHS pass holders can travel for free.

Free travel is available on the Hop! city centre shuttle service, connecting key locations including Highcross, Leicester Market and Jubilee Square. This service runs every 10 minutes from 8am to 6pm Monday to Saturday.

Leicester assistant city mayor for environment and transport, Councillor Geoff Whittle, said: "With a very successful switch-on of our Christmas lights in Leicester last week, the festive season is now in full swing in the city centre. Shops, bars and restaurants in the city are busy welcoming shoppers, as is our new Christmas market."

The council confirmed services will not operate on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, Sunday December 29 or New Year's Day. Passengers are advised to plan their journeys accordingly during this period to avoid any travel disruption.

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