frequently asked questions

From any of the machines situated around the car park. You can pay with coins or use your credit or debit card and a receipt will be given. No change is given from the machines and notes are not accepted.

No, you cannot buy tickets on the bus, they must be purchased before boarding.

Just show the ticket to the bus driver. Up to five passengers can travel on one ticket. No additional tickets are issued by the driver. The ticket should be used whenever you get on the bus that day. Remember you can hop on and off at different stops as you wish.

If there is a fault or you require a refund for tickets purchased at the machines please email parking@portsmouthcc.gov.uk or call 023 9268 8290 for assistance.

You can go to our online smartcard portal to register for a card. This will be posted directly to your home address in up to 5 working days.

Or you can buy it from the ticket machine inside the park & ride building using a credit or debit card - your smartcard will be issued instantly from the machine and will be ready to use immediately.

You can top up your smartcard using both machine and online options;

To use the smartcard, touch the card against the ticket machine when you get on the bus - this validates the journey.

A maximum of 5 passengers can travel on one smartcard. You have unlimited use of the service for the day and unlimited travel between all park & ride stops by presenting your smartcard on the bus each time you board.

You can ask the driver when you board the park & ride bus, contact us by phone 023 9284 1347 or email parkandride@portsmouthcc.gov.uk to find out what your remaining balance is.

If you have an Android phone you can download the Park & Ride Portsmouth app from Google Play to check your balance.

We will be updating our on-site Smartcard vending machines to allow smartcard balances to be checked.

You cannot currently park overnight. Should you wish to park overnight in the city please contact parking for more information on 023 9268 8310 (lines open Monday to Friday 9.00am - 4.00pm) or email parking@portsmouthcc.gov.uk

The Park and Ride operates every day of the year except Christmas Day and News Year's Day. Site gates are opened and closed at the following times:

Monday – Friday   6.30am - 7.45pm
Saturday   7.30am - 7.45pm
Sunday and public holidays   8.30am - 6.30pm

NB times my vary during summer - check last bus departures.

no overnight parking

Yes. It is 2.1m (6ʹ 11ʺ). If you have a large vehicle, motorhome or minibus we suggest you contact 02392 688 290 for help and advice on where to park larger vehicles in Portsmouth.

For those heading to the Historic Dockyard or the Gunwharf Quays area there are unrestricted height spaces available on The Hard, St Georges Square and Museum Road. For those heading to the seafront, unrestricted height parking is available all along the seafront and in D-Day car park.

Yes, you can walk to the park & ride and then pay by using the methods above.

Holders of a Free Travel Bus Pass are not able to use their bus pass on the park & ride service. This includes those holding an older person's bus pass.

All buses feature a large entry door, step-free entrances that can be lowered to kerb height, fold out ramps, wide step free gangway, a dedicated space for wheelchair users and priority seating for people with reduced mobility.

The buses have CCTV cameras fitted to help keep passengers and drivers safe. The provisions of the Data Protection Act 1988 are observed in relation to the use of CCTV in vehicles.

For the visitor's safety the car park has CCTV and excellent lighting.

A maximum of two dogs are allowed on any one bus at a time, at the discretion of the driver. They must be well behaved and not be a nuisance and of no danger to other customers. Where appropriate, they must travel in accordance with the Dangerous Dogs Act. The driver has the right to ask you to leave the vehicle with your animal at any time if they feel that the animal in question is a danger to the driver, the passengers or you.

No, for safety reasons, because the bus goes via the M275.

Yes, luggage is carried free of charge at the driver’s discretion, provided it does not occupy any part of a seat, inconvenience other customers and does not block a gangway or exit;

Any passenger finding property left on a vehicle by another passenger should hand it to the driver;

The lost property will be held at the First Hampshire & Dorset, Hoeford. If not claimed lost property will be disposed of after one month. The contact number is 07814 164248 or you can use the form on the First website.

First Hampshire & Dorset operate the pr1 service while Xelabus operate the pr3 service in Summer 2023, both under contract to Portsmouth City Council.

There are 665 car parking spaces.

There are 3 disabled parking spaces and 8 shared disabled & parent and child parking spaces all located close to the park & ride building.

There are two, type 2, 3kw electric charging points located close to the park & ride building. These are located in two spaces that are well signposted. Charging is free.

Opening and closing times may vary during summer – check last bus departures.

Vehicles left outside of opening hours will be liable to a £50 vehicle release fee.

The site is managed out of hours by Blayde Security. For assistance, call 01329 234411.

You can only take a foldable bicycle on the bus due to space restrictions.

Yes, there are fully accessible toilets and baby changing facilities.

A vending machine is available.

The terminal building has Ticket Vending Machines to buy smartcard tickets. There is a heated waiting area that is well lit, covered by CCTV and with a large screen information display.