Improvements are set to be made to Cheltenham's Park and Ride service from Arle Court.

There will be changes made to the park and ride service from Sunday, December 1, to make it a better and more efficient service for people working, shopping and visiting Cheltenham town centre.

Upgrades to the frequency of buses will be made, with services now operating every 15 minutes rather than every 20 minutes on weekdays to provide more convenient travel for passengers.

In addition to this, the single decker buses that currently operate on the route will be replaced by double decker buses with more seats and a new eye-catching livery, which will be introduced in the future. These vehicles will use the lowest emission diesel engines available to help improve local air quality.

There are a range of flexible fares that offer great value compared with town centre car parks. These include £3.50 for a solo return and £5 return for a group travelling in the same car. There's free parking for park and ride users at Arle Court Transport Hub with almost 1,000 spaces, an indoor waiting area, and 100 EV charge points.

Saturday services will remain every 20 minutes and will start at 8.05am, an hour later than the current schedule.

The park and ride services runs from the new Arle Court Transport Hub to the Promenade in Cheltenham town centre, via the Montpellier shops and gardens.

This tendered contract has been awarded by Gloucestershire County Council to Stagecoach to provide more frequent journeys and a better service for people travelling into Cheltenham.

As with any timetable improvements, regular users of the Park and Ride are urged to familiarise themselves with the changes before travel. For further information, please visit www.stagecoach.com.

Cllr Philip Robinson, cabinet member responsible for bus transport, said: "I am delighted that we have been able to award this new contract to Stagecoach, and, in doing so, add a number of improvements to the park and ride. It's the best way to travel into Cheltenham for work, leisure or for your Christmas shopping."

Chris Hanson, managing director, Stagecoach West, said: "Our customers are at the heart of everything we do, so when feedback revealed a need for more journeys on this route, we listened and implemented these improvements.

"The park and ride service is a tendered contract from Gloucestershire County Council so with thanks to them, we're delighted to increase the number, and frequency of journeys during the week into the Cheltenham town centre, with effect from Sunday, December 1."