After two years of offering free travel, High Wycombe Park and Ride buses will start charging again from Monday.

The 8/X8 bus service runs between the town centre, railway station and the Handy Cross Hub/Coachway from Monday to Friday.

The service is not free but for the past two years Buckinghamshire Council has provided funding to allow free travel for passengers to and from the Handy Cross Hub bus stop into the town centre in a bid to encourage more people to use the service.

It was also an alternative option to parking in the Railway Place car park off London Road while parking spaces in there were reduced.

Now that the parking spaces at the car park have been restored, the bus fares will be reintroduced.

Peter Martin, Deputy Cabinet Member for Transport explained: “The 8/X8 bus route, operated by Carousel, provides a valuable alternative travel option for visitors to and from High Wycombe town centre.

“To support people who may have been affected by the limited car parking spaces at Railway Place car park we were able to provide funding so passengers were able to travel for free between Handy Cross and the town centre.

“As the availability of car park spaces has now returned to normal, we must reintroduce the fare for those who are eligible to pay. The service remains free for those who have relevant passes and are travelling within the permitted times.”

He continued: “This park and ride service continues to offer people an additional and cost-effective way to travel to and from High Wycombe town centre.

“As we come out of Covid restrictions, we will have a better picture of how people are using bus services and we will be reviewing how and where we can best support non-commercial services such as this with the funding we have available.”

A standard adult day return ticket costs from £2.70 or a one-month unlimited pass costs from £40. A block of 10 single trip tickets can also be purchased.

Parking at the Handy Cross Hub/Coachway is also free for park and ride customers for up to 96 hours.