An innovative transport scheme between Persimmon Homes and Stagecoach West Scotland will see complimentary bus passes issued to the first 65 home buyers at the Fairfields housing development in Monkton, Ayrshire.
Designed to maximise sustainable travel the Stagecoach smartcards will provide eligible Fairfields residents with direct services to the main towns in Ayrshire, including Prestwick, Ayr, Troon, Irvine and Kilmarnock with easy links to express coach services to Glasgow. Later this year Stagecoach intends to reroute some X77 express services so they travel directly from Monkton to Glasgow.
Eligible residents will receive an annual Stagecoach smartcard that is transferable within each household meaning all family members can use it at different times for accessing work, education, healthcare and for socialising throughout the Stagecoach West Scotland operating area. The smartcard is proving extremely popular with three-quarters of the homebuyers at Fairfields have already applied.
Ross Hill and partner Laura Barrett, applied for their smart card when following their move to Fairfields in December 2021. Ross, a Pharmacist, said that as he is new to the area it has been a big help to him getting to know the area and it has completely changed his approach to using public transport.
Ross said: “It’s essentially a buy-one-get-one-free scenario for us, it’s so easy to get around and explore surrounding towns. The equivalent costs for the train or driving with parking are much more expensive. We don’t have to think about taxi numbers and when I work locally it’s a great cost effective and environmentally friendly way to commute.
“We are both looking forward to being able to travel to and from Glasgow well past midnight which is fantastic for us and saves us from leaving our nights early to catch trains or trying to find hotels. We are very impressed and see ourselves opting to take the bus whenever possible now.”
Announcing the arrangement, Chris Logan, managing director of Persimmon Homes West Scotland, said: “This innovative collaboration with Stagecoach epitomises our commitment to sustainability at our Fairfields development. It makes great sense to encourage residents to leave the car at home if there is a viable alternative – whether that is walking, cycling or, in this case, quality public transport.
“We felt that facilitating the diversion of Glasgow bus service through Monkton was a positive step towards encouraging and enabling people to change travel habits and opt for public transport.
“In addition to a five-figure sum towards local transport improvements there are plans to upgrade two bus stops at Fairfields to incorporate real-time bus information, along with a multi-thousand-pound contribution towards a bike shelter at Prestwick Airport train station.”
Fiona Doherty, Managing Director of Stagecoach West Scotland, said: “We’re really proud of our partnership with Persimmon which we’re confident will encourage residents to choose sustainable transport as soon as they move to this development in Monkton.
“At Stagecoach we encourage people to take advantage of the excellent value that local bus travel offers while considering walking and cycling instead of travelling by car. One bus can remove up to 75 cars from the road, and with our buses in the Monkton area being Euro VI we are using the latest engine technology to reduce carbon emissions.
“The use of bus also relieves congestion in our towns and cities while providing better air quality for the community.”
Situated less than three miles from Prestwick, in the popular village of Monkton, Fairfields is an exciting development of quality new homes including an attractive range of three, four and five-bedroom homes.
Monkton offers a sought-after village location with excellent local amenities. Its location means that residents can enjoy the best of town and country – being situated in a peaceful, semi-rural setting yet strategically positioned for access to larger towns and cities in west Scotland.