Park and ride facts for kids

A road sign for park and ride in Oxford, United Kingdom.

A park and ride car park in Prague-Opatov near the metro station.

Park and ride facilities are special parking areas that are connected to public transport. They let people leave their cars and then travel the rest of their journey by bus, train, or even by sharing a car with others (carpool). These places are usually found in the outer parts of big cities or in the suburbs.

What is Park and Ride?

A park and ride is like a helpful stop on your way to a busy place. Instead of driving all the way into a crowded city center, you can park your car at a special lot. From there, you can easily catch a bus or train that takes you to your final destination. This system helps make travel easier and more eco-friendly.

Why Use Park and Ride?

People use park and ride for many good reasons:

• Less Traffic: It helps reduce the number of cars driving into busy city centers. This means less traffic jams for everyone.
• Easier Parking: Finding parking in a city can be hard and expensive. Park and ride lots offer a convenient and often cheaper place to leave your car.
• Save Money: You might save money on fuel and parking fees by using public transport for part of your trip.
• Help the Environment: Fewer cars on the road means less pollution, which is better for our planet.
• Less Stress: You don't have to worry about navigating busy city streets or finding a parking spot.

Where Are They Found?

Park and ride facilities are usually located on the edges of large cities or towns. They are often close to major roads or highways, making them easy to reach by car. They are also always near a bus stop, train station, or metro station, so you can easily switch to public transport.

How Park and Ride Works

Using a park and ride is simple!

• Drive to the Lot: You drive your car to the designated park and ride car park.
• Park Your Car: You park your car in one of the available spaces. Some places might have a small fee for parking.
• Take Public Transport: From the car park, you walk to the nearby bus stop or train station. You then take a bus or train directly into the city center or wherever you need to go.
• Return Trip: When you're ready to go home, you take the public transport back to the park and ride lot and pick up your car.

Signs for Park and Ride

In many places, including the UK, you will see special road signs for park and ride. These signs often show the letters "P+R". This makes it easy to spot them when you are driving and looking for a place to park and switch to public transport.

Images for kids

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  A park and ride bus in Carmarthen, Wales.

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  A park and ride express bus in New York City. Note the "X" destination sign, denoting that this bus goes to a Park and Ride.

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  A park and ride bus in Exeter, England.

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  A park and ride lot next to the Dongan Hills station in Staten Island, New York City.

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  A busy bike-and-ride facility at a Miami Metrorail station.

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  A kiss-and-ride sign at a MARTA station.

See also

In Spanish: Aparcamiento disuasorio para niños