The new coach station is now open

Good evening everyone

Carrying on with the story of the new coach station in Plymouth, here is some info from the Plymouth Herald (http://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/new-coach-station-now-open-as-councillors-hail-new-era-for-plymouth-travel/story-29693219-detail/story.html)

'Plymouth's new £4million coach station is now open, with councillors heralding "a new era for the travelling public and the city centre".

The first buses are due to leave the Mayflower Street facility at midnight tonight, bringing an end to the run-down Bretonside depot and paving the way for the £40million Drake Circus Leisure complex.

Ian Bowyer, leader of Plymouth City Council, said: "This is a big day for Plymouth, a big day for the council who made this happen, and a big day for all the operators who will be running their services out of here.

"These are smart, modern facilities that provide a much more fitting welcome to Britain's Ocean City and we hope it heralds a new era for the travelling public and the city centre.

"Its location in the west end means thousands more people will visit this part of the city centre, which can only be good news for local for businesses."

Cllr Bowyer says he is "genuinely bowled over" by what the city has achieved.

"We set out to deliver a new coach facility suited to 21st Century coach travel to and from Plymouth, and we have done it," he said.

The £4.85million station, run by National Express, features seven coach bays; real-time passenger information systems; a waiting room; booking office; toilets; and cycle stands.

There is also an 89-space car park to the west end of the site.

Kevin Gale, National Express service delivery director, said: "It's a great day for us, a great day for the city. Some might say it's been a long time coming but these things don't happen overnight.

"We've worked in true partnership – we've been part of the design process, this station looks very similar to our home station in Birmingham. It's been a great project to work on.

"We're looking at new destinations from the city, it's an important place for us and the relationship is continuing to grow and our presence will become every stronger down here."

Tom Stables, managing director of National Express Coach, said: "I'm hugely proud, it's wonderful to be here at the launch of this new coach station.

"This new development is a real tribute to how teams can work together.

The leadership from the council has been fantastic to bring this into the heart of the city."We're always proud to be part of the community we serve."'