Second 'football special' park and ride confirmed

A second park and ride bus service taking football supporters to games is due to launch next month.

The X40 service from Newcastle Great Park to St James' Park was trialled at Newcastle's Premier League fixture with Brighton in May and had "positive feedback" and "promising" passenger numbers, according to the local council.

Although not ready in time for Sunday's opening weekend clash with Liverpool, the service will start properly when the Magpies take on Bournemouth on 5 September.

Newcastle City Council has agreed to pay £72,000 to Go North East to operate the service this season, while the original X50 "Soccerbus" from the Metrocentre will also continue for the next two years.

The X50 has been backed by a further £150,000 from the authority, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

Cabinet member for public transport Owen Burbidge said the Great Park service was used by hundreds of supporters for the Brighton game last season.

Adult tickets on the X40 will cost £1.50 for a single or £2 for a return, with £1 single fares for under-21s.

Go North East said the first buses would leave the Great Park car park two hours before each match and run until 15 minutes before kick-off.

Return services will depart from the bus stop on Newgate Street, outside St Andrew's Church, with the last bus leaving 40 minutes after the final whistle.

A full timetable is expected to be released soon.

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