Slow start for park and ride

Empty spaces in the Ferrytoll car park

A new £4.2m park and ride scheme launched to cut rush hour travel times into Edinburgh has got off to a slow start.

By 0800GMT on Monday there were just two dozen cars in the 500-space car park at Inverkeithing, Fife.

Bus company Stagecoach, which is providing connection services for the Ferrytoll Park and Ride, said it was pleased with the response on the first day of operation.

Environment Minister Sarah Boyack said the scheme was an important step in tackling traffic problems on the Forth Road Bridge.

Ferrytoll gives people the opportunity to drive as far as the bridge, then beat the congestion and save both on parking and bridge tolls

Transport Minister Sarah Boyack

For an introductory fee of £3, drivers get a parking space and a return ticket on a bus into Edinburgh.

There are buses to Edinburgh city centre every 10 minutes during peak periods and services to other locations like South Gyle, Leith and Livingston.

The car park is monitored by CCTV and there is a waiting area with vending machines and toilets.

Robert Andrew, of Stagecoach Fife, said: "For the first day of operation of a service that is totally new, I actually think that is very, very good.

Roadworks at Barnton are causing problems

"It actually takes a long time for people to learn that the new facility exists and to actually decide to try it for themselves."

The passengers who did turn up seemed happy to get a parking space and return ticket for £3.

One said: "Train services let you down all the time. Cancelled or delayed.

"In the car, there are horrendous parking problems and its really expensive to park on a meter."

Another passenger said: "I think this will probably get busier as people get to know about it.

"I suspect it won't really get going until the trouble at Barnton sorts itself out."

Sarah Boyack wants to encourage people to use public transport

The Barnton roadworks will last another three weeks.

Ms Boyack said: "Ferrytoll gives people the opportunity to drive as far as the bridge, then beat the congestion and save both on parking and bridge tolls by travelling the rest of their journey by coach using priority bus lanes.

"The Scottish Executive is committed to working together with local authorities, businesses, transport organisations and communities to make practical, convenient and forward thinking transport solutions a reality.

"I want to see an integrated and innovative approach to congestion and other transport issues in the Forth Road Bridge area - and it is clear that this facility lies at the heart of that future."