FAQs

How do I use the park & ride?

Find a parking space and park your car or cycle free of charge.    Then, simply board the next bus into town and pay the driver with cash.  You'll find information on all our ticket prices and options here.
 

What facilities are available at the car parks

  • Both sites have a terminal building with a heated waiting area, information points and toilets/baby change facilities.
  • A cycle rack is located behind the building at London Road and cycle lockers can be found beside the terminal building at Martlesham.
  • There are marked family and disabled parking spaces with wider bays near the terminal buildings.
  •  Both sites and all the buses are fully accessible for wheelchair users.

How can I find the park & ride car parks?

There are maps available to view and download on the maps section of the website. In addition, the car parks have brown signs from most major routes. For Sat-Nav users, the postcodes for our two car parks are: London Road IP8 3TQ and Martlesham IP5 3QN

How can I pay for my park & ride journey?

The driver of your park & ride bus will be able to sell you a ticket for the day, 5-days or a week when you board the bus. You can pay with your contactless debit or credit card (or Apple Pay & Android Pay enabled device), or you can pay with cash.  We do carry some change, but having the right money is very helpful. These, and a range of other tickets are available for purchase on the First Bus App which can be downloaded FREE from your app store. For full details of all our tickets for park & ride, please see the Prices section of our website.

Are there discounts available for regular users?

Yes. We have a full range of tickets available for 5-days, a week, a month or 10 days available in a variety of ways. You can also use any ticket valid on other First bus services in our Ipswich Zone on park & ride - see our main website for full details. Ipswich Zone day, week & month tickets can also be purchased on board park & ride buses. Commuters who regularly use park & ride can take advantage of our Commuter Travel Club for even greater savings.

Can I use my concessionary bus pass for free travel on Park and Ride?

No. However, Concessionary Bus Pass holders who board the bus at either car park can buy a special £2 day ticket for the park and ride service which can be used at anytime.

What if I want to return to my car later in the evening?

For return journeys after the main park & ride service is finished (approx 7pm), you'll be able to get back to your car using our service 66 buses - the times that these run are shown on our park & ride timetables and your park & ride ticket is valid for this journey.  The exits at both car parks are open 24 hours a day. 

We've bought a group ticket - do we all have to travel together?

Yes.  However, if one or more of your group want to travel back to your car together, for example -  to drop off shopping, and then return to town, your ticket will allow you to do this.  Nobody in the party will be allowed travel without a valid ticket.
 

Can I use a PlusBus ticket on park and ride?

Yes. You can use any valid PlusBus ticket on park and ride services.

Is there space for buggies and wheelchairs on the bus?

All our buses are fully accessible for wheelchairs and buggies with step-free entrances that can be lowered to kerb height and have fold out ramps...just ask the driver if you need to use it. Inside the bus there are designated spaces for both wheelchairs and buggies as well as priority seating for the mobility impaired.

Do park & ride buses have free wifi on board?

Yes. All of our park & ride buses have free wifi available, with a simple sign up process.

I am unfamiliar with Ipswich town centre...how will I know where to get off the bus?

Our park & ride buses are fitted with the latest digital audio next stop announcement system, that will give details of the next stop and some of the key places you will find there. There is also a digital screen on board so you can follow the progress of your journey, as well as simple line maps to help you plan where to get off. The maps section of our site contains full details of the route the bus takes through Ipswich showing all bus stops and major landmarks.

Do Park and Ride services stop at Suffolk ONE sixth form centre?

Yes. A regular service operates on college days between the town centre and Suffolk ONE. Full details of the buses to and from the college can be found on our full service 800 timetable.

Do park & ride buses serve Ipswich railway station?

Buses travelling from London Road P&R to Martlesham P&R via the town centre will stop outside Ipswich Crown Court on West End Road. Buses travelling towards London Road P&R will stop at the Fire Station on Princes Street. Both of these stops are a 250m walk from the railway station, which is clearly signposted.  You can find detailed maps for park & ride routes and stops here.

Can I park my car or bicycle at the Park and Ride sites without using the bus?

We are sorry but you can only park your car or bicycle at one of the Park and Ride sites providing you then pay to use the bus service into Ipswich. Please note that you can walk to any of the Park and Ride sites and then pay to use the bus into Ipswich.

Can I park my car at the park and ride sites and then cycle into town?

Unfortunately, you can only park your car at one of the Park and Ride sites providing you then pay to use the bus service into Ipswich.

How secure are the Park and Ride car parks?

Both terminals offer safety and security with exit control, CCTV coverage, defensive planting, good lighting, clear lines of site across the car parks and security fencing. There are regular car park patrols throughout the day. However, whilst all of these provisions are in place, in line with most car parks, parking of any vehicle is entirely at the owners risk.

Can I park my van, people carrier or car fitted with a roof box at park & ride?

A height barrier is installed at the entrance to Martlesham car park, measuring 6 feet, 6 inches (2 metres) in height. There are no restrictions at London Road car park.

Can I park my LGV, HGV, bus or coach, caravan or trailer at park & ride?

No. Unfortunately, the park & ride car parks are only designed for use by cars and light commercial vehicles (e.g. vans).

Can I bring my motorhome to a park & ride car park?

Due to the height barrier at the Martlesham site, motorhomes are currently only permitted at London Road.

Who do I contact for lost property?

In the first instance you should contact either our Customer Service Team on 0345 602 0121 or call in to our Ipswich Travel Centre in the Old Cattle Market Bus Station (open Monday - Friday 0830 - 1400 & 1450 - 1700).