Fares for Leicester’s Park and Ride services are set to rise this summer as a new operator takes over management of the service.
From August 26, the cost of a day return ticket will increase from £3.50 to £4.85, while the group day ticket (valid for up to five people) will rise from £4 to £6. The fare increase comes as part of a new three-year operating contract awarded to local bus operator Roberts Travel Group, which takes full control of the city’s three Park and Ride routes.
Picture credit: Leicester City Council
Roberts, already a familiar name in Leicester’s bus network, won a joint tender from Leicester City Council and Leicestershire County Council. Under the new agreement, the company will assume revenue risk and manage both timetables and fares, marking a significant shift in how the service is run.
Despite the fare increases, there is some relief for certain passengers: concessionary fares will become free after 9:30am, reduced from the current £1 charge.
The services, which operate from Birstall, Enderby and Meynell’s Gorse, will continue to receive council support, though funding will be halved, from £422,000 to £211,000 annually.
Councillor Geoff Whittle, Leicester’s Assistant City Mayor for Environment and Transport, acknowledged the funding pressures behind the changes.
“Like all councils, we are having to make some very difficult decisions around funding,” said Cllr Whittle. “This arrangement allows us to reduce our subsidy while keeping the Park and Ride running.”
He added that the Enderby service, which stops at Leicester Royal Infirmary, remains a vital link for staff and patients, especially as it is the only bus route serving that stretch.
Roberts Travel Group will officially take over operations from August 24, and has committed to maintaining a 15-minute frequency from 7am to 7pm, Monday to Saturday. The company also plans to introduce additional stops along the routes, including Freemans Common, Redhill Circle, and Braunstone Leisure Centre, and hopes to better integrate services with the Hop! and Hospital Hopper networks in the future.
Alex Niemczyk, Managing Director of Roberts Travel Group, said the company is “proud” to take on full responsibility for the service.
“We’re excited to deliver a reliable, affordable, modern Park and Ride system Leicester can be proud of,” Niemczyk said.
The changes mark a new chapter for the city’s Park and Ride offering — one that aims to balance reduced public funding with enhanced service routes, but also brings higher costs for regular users.
