21st September 2011
New Sunderland Connect Bus

***FROM NEXUS***

A new city centre bus service linking Sunderland's biggest attractions and amenities starts service this month - for full timetable and fare details click here.

The 'Sunderland Connect' 700 route will run from Monday 12th September, funded by a unique partnership between Sunderland City Council, the University of Sunderland and Nexus.

The new route will connect major city centre attractions and amenities, including the Stadium of Light and Aquatic Centre, St Peter's and the National Glass Centre, the Winter Gardens and Royal Hospital.

It will also provide new links to student halls in Millfield, and in the summer of 2012, Sunderland Connect will provide local links for residents living near Dame Dorothy Street, and be extended to Sunderland Marina, giving residents and visitors access to the seafront. And from October Sunderland Connect, operated by Go North East on behalf of the partnership, will feature brand new 'green' vehicles with a distinctive branding and environmentally-friendly hybrid engines to keep down emissions.

Councillor Paul Watson, Leader of the City Council, said: "The new Sunderland Connect service is a welcome addition to the city which will provide a much needed way for people to reach a number of key attractions across Sunderland. We are delighted to be working in partnership with Nexus and the University of Sunderland to launch the new route."

Bernard Garner, Director General of Nexus, said: "Sunderland Connect provides new local links for residents and students, while also creating an attractive and easy way for visitors to get around."

Sunderland Connect will begin service on 12th September, a week later than originally planned but in time for the start of the new university year.

The full route runs from Park Lane interchange via the University's City Campus on Chester Road, Royal Hospital and Hylton Road to student halls in Millfield. It will cross the Wearmouth Bridge, stopping at the St Peter's Metro Station, before passing the Stadium of Light and Aquatic Centre, continuing to the National Glass Centre and St Peter's Campus. It will then come back into the city, through Sunniside and past the Museum and Winter Gardens to Park Lane.

If you're looking for a bit of culture – Sunderland Connect takes you to the Empire, St Peter's Church, Museum and Winter Gardens and National Glass Centre. For sporting activity, stop off at the Stadium of Light or Aquatic Centre. Or if it's shopping you're after - use Sunderland Connect to get to the Bridges.

University of Sunderland students can use Sunderland Connect to get to their city centre and St Peter's campuses, as well as halls of residence at Millfield. The service stops at Sunderland Royal Hospital as well as providing connections with Metro and bus services at Park Lane Interchange.

And in summer 2012, you'll be able to use the service to get to Sunderland Marina and Roker Beach. The distinctive new green easy-access buses are environmentally-friendly with hybrid engines to keep down emissions. Sunderland Connect is operated by Go North East on behalf of Nexus, Sunderland City Council and the University of Sunderland.

Fares
•Single ticket - £1.20
•All day ticket - £2.00
•FREE travel for University of Sunderland students and staff who show valid university ID.

Other tickets and passes

If you have a Concessionary Travel Pass, you can travel for free after 9.30am on weekdays, and all day on weekends and bank holidays.

Children with an Under 16 Pop Card travel for 50p single or, buy a Child All-day Ticket (CAT) and travel all day on all public transport in Tyne and Wear for £1.

Children without an Under 16 Pop Card travel for 80p single.

Network One Travel Tickets including zone four are also valid on Sunderland Connect.

If your journey includes other Go North East services, you can buy or use a Buzzfare or Get Around ticket (for school children and students).

If you're using Metro before or after your Sunderland Connect journey, buy a Transfare. Or buy a Network One Day Rover ticket for all day travel on all public transport in Tyne and Wear. Explorer and Plusbus tickets are also accepted.

Visit Our Main Page At http://www.travelnortheast.co.uk or just click here

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