Walkers and climbers in Snowdonia will be quids in with a scheme offering bus trips into the heart of the mountains for just a pound.
With parking at Pen y Pass due to rise to £10 a day next month, the Snowdonia Green Key bus service is an attractive option for those heading for Snowdon via the Pyg Track and Crib Goch and to those tackling the numerous climbing routes in the Llanberis Pass.
The £1 each way deal means the buses, some of which will be operated by open-top vehicles, are more cost effective than parking at the crowded area at Pen y Pass. Families can benefit by taking up to two under-16-year-olds with each paying adult.
First bus from Llanberis leaves at 8am on Saturdays, arriving 22 minutes later at the start point for many Snowdon ascents. Sunday’s service starts 40 minutes later. Last bus back leaves Pen y Pass at 6.45pm, stretched to 7.45pm from 23 April.
Buses will also run from Llanrwst and Betws y Coed to Pen y Pass.
A similar quid deal is available from Bethesda to Llyn Ogwen for mountaineers heading for the popular climbs and walks in the Ogwen Valley, including Tryfan, the Glyderau, Carneddau and Y Garn, with first arrival at 8am and last departure from the Ogwen Valley at 5.33pm.
Bikes can also be carried on the buses.
Details of the services can be found via the Snowdonia Green Key website.
Dave
22 March 2010this would be more workable if the buses started earlier and later.
Dave
22 March 2010I meant to say...and started earlier and finished later!
Solly Atwell
23 March 20108am start? 8.40 on Sundays. Is someone having a laugh?
By that time many would like to be well into their walk.
It seems as usual regarding public transport the service is geared up for the operators not the public it is meant to serve, and £10 parking is extortion and outrageous. Will the car park attendants be wearing masks and riding horses? At least Dick Turpin had the decency to wear a mask whilst robbing you.
Truly unbelievable.
Jhimmy
24 March 20108.40 am on Sundays! What a joke. Pen Y pass is full to bursting point at that time in the summer.
Can you imagine the queues on Crib Goch?
So what's the point in encouraging busses when they're so out of line with what walkers want?
Arwyn
24 March 2010As somebody who lives and works in Eryri all year round it's about time that the parking/congestion issue was addressed. If the people who supposedly come here because the enjoy and I presume care about this and other mountain environments, then suerly paying to park is not realy unreasonable if it starts to tackle the chronic congestion at Pen Y Pass and Pen Y Gwryd.
Colin
24 March 2010Seriously? You people get up before 8am on a weekend? Presumably so you can get more moaning in before lunchtime...