Car Parks Free as Council and Arriva Easing the Burden on Key Worker Travel

Published on: 28 Mar, 2020
Updated on: 28 Mar, 2020

Further moves to help key workers in Guildford and surrounding areas are being implemented by the borough council and Arriva.

From now, all off-street car-parks in the town are free for those workers but Bright Hill remains permit-only for healthcare staff. This supersedes the offer of temporary permits and refunds will be issued automatically.

Guildford Borough Council is also immediately suspending all invoices for contract and season ticket-holders for an initial three months.

And Arriva is continuing to run a reduced bus service in all areas it operates in. Changes in Guildford, Woking, Camberley, Cranleigh and Horsham come into effect on March 30, with reduced Monday to Friday services running on Saturday, March 28 and normal Sunday services on March 29.

Oliver Monahan, Arriva’s area MD, said: “We are at the centre of our local communities and know our services help support many people to get around, particularly key workers on whom we all rely.

“Arriva is committed to running vital services so key workers can get to and from work, and we are listening to customer’s feedback daily to constantly tailor our services. We are acutely aware of the vital role public transport plays in keeping these key workers moving and will continue to prioritise these key routes.

“We also appreciate that we might not have it right everywhere so please get in touch with us if you feel we can help.”

The company is urging people to travel in line with the latest government advice and to keep checking the website at www.arrivabus.co.uk/coronavirus-ks for up-to-date bus times as services are amended to meet demand and key worker requirements.

Mr Monahan added: “We are also committed to keeping our passengers and workforce safe. We ask all passengers to use contactless payments as much as possible and to practise social distancing where possible on our services, including waiting at bus stops and boarding.

“We have enhanced cleaning on our buses and depots ensuring all touchpoints are regularly deep cleaned. I’d also like to thank all our staff who continue to provide such an essential service to the community.”