UCLan Super Bus launched to help students and staff in Blackpool, Accrington and Blackburn
Commuting students and staff in parts of Lancashire are being given a helping hand to access the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan).
Members of the UCLan community who live in Blackpool, South Shore, Accrington and Blackburn can use the new UCLan Super Bus for just £1 each way.
The joint initiative, between the University and the UCLan Students’ Union (SU), is focused on helping students who could be put off from attending Preston Campus due to the cost of public transport, the lengthy commuting time or the lack of student car parking permits. The buses are being trialled during term-term only for the 2018/19 academic calendar.
Andy Coverdale, UCLan’s Business Services Manager, said: “The University is dedicated to providing a great student experience and these subsidised buses are a godsend for many students who might otherwise find it difficult to attend University.
“We know some students are paying up to £10 a day to commute from these areas via public transport. This approach provides added flexibility for staff and students, particularly those who are only traveling a few days a week.”
"The SUper bus is a fantastic initiative which will better support our off campus students."
The double decker buses are leaving the Fylde and East Lancashire at 7.30am and arriving outside UCLan’s SU at 8.40am. The return journeys are departing from the same location at 5.15pm. The routes have been selected due to the high volume of students living in these postcode areas.
Summer Hancox, a third year BA (Hons) English Literature and Creative Writing student, is using the Blackpool bus. She said: “It’s cheap, it gets me here early so I can get breakfast and a coffee, I can get a seat and it’s a lot more reliable than other forms of public transport.”
Jonathan Kemp, a media technology lecturer, is a regular user of the new service. He said: “Getting the UCLan SUper bus has been great so far. It’s fast, efficient and a lot cheaper than the alternative. I hope the service is well used and the service expanded further.”
The UCLan SU was passionate about joining together with the University to support this new scheme. Caitlin McLaren, UCLan SU President, said: “The SUper bus is a fantastic initiative which will better support our off campus students. Based on feedback, off campus students wanted a better campus experience and to be able to get more involved in Students’ Union activities so hopefully using the SUper bus will allow them to do so.”
Tickets are purchased online at www.uclan.ac.uk/travel and users must show their email confirmation and UCLan ID card to board the bus.
