RECORD-BREAKING figures recorded for the city's first park-and-ride service show commuters are increasingly favouring a bus ride into Worcester.

New figures, highlighted in Worcestershire County Council's local transport plan review, indicate patronage of the Worcester North Park and Ride site has increased by an average of 115 per cent in two years.

The £2.5m service from Perdiswell, which was launched in April 2001, has been seen as a major influence in changing many motorists' routines.

Tax payers subsidised the service to the tune of £50,000 this year, compared to £250,000 18 months ago.

On average, 2,400 cars now use the Droitwich Road site every week compared to around 1,300 when it first opened.

During the Christmas holidays the facility pulled in a staggering 4,600 cars per week, helping the scheme achieve its 115 per cent increase.

Cheap, secure parking with efficient transport links are just some reasons why senior project engineer, Terry Baldock, believes it has proved such a success.

"I use the service myself, it's a great location and offers secure all-day parking for only £1.50 for one person or £2 for cars with more than two people.

"There's a bus every 10-minutes with a bus lane along The Tything and into Worcester, so it really saves taking the car into the centre."

The county council, which runs the service with support from the city council, City Centre Forum and bus operator First, is hoping to mirror this success with two further city centre sites.

The locations - Bransford Road roundabout to the west of the city and the RNIB New College to the east - are currently being prepared for planning applications.

Environmental and traffic impact studies and current bus transport links are now being assessed on both areas with an application possibly being submitted early next year.

The current service runs from 7am to 7pm, from the park-and-ride A38 site to the CrownGate bus station.