Sandon Park & Ride, operated by First Bus on behalf of Essex County Council.

Conveniently located just off the A12/A414 junction, Sandon Park & Ride is perfectly positioned for easy, stress-free travel into Chelmsford from the South and East — with parking included in the ticket price on our 700 service (other services will require an additional charge for parking).

Service Name: Sandon Park & Ride

Fast, convenient travel into Chelmsford on one of our modern, comfy, double-deck buses. Park for free, only on our service, and continue your journey by bus.

Key Facts
Route                         

Sandon Park & Ride - Chelmsford City Centre - Sandon Park & Ride

Journey time

11 minutes to the City Centre, Duke Street

Next bus

Up to every 7 mins 

Parking spaces:
1377 spaces for customers inc. 34 disabled spaces, 9 family spaces & 2 EV charging points

Getting here

Address:

Sandon Park & Ride - Maldon Road, CM2 7RU

What3Words:

///calm.pools.seats

Conveniently located adjacent to the A12/A414 junction.

Get Directions

Service information

  • Route: Sandon Park & Ride operates 6 days a week, closed Sundays & Bank Holidays
  • Destination: Sandon P&R (Circular), via Chelmsford City Centre
  • Frequency: Up to every 7 minutes 
  • Operating Hours: The car park is open 06:30-19:30, Monday to Saturday. Closed Sundays & Bank Holidays.

If you're staying out late, you can use your Park & Ride ticket on services 31 and 336 between 20:10 until 23:10 to get back to Sandon when boarding from the Park & Ride stops, Parkway, Careers Office, New London Road, or Duke Street.

 
Family sitting on a bus and smiling

Sandon P&R Timetable Button

Prices

You can grab you Park & Ride tickets in advance on the FREE First Bus App, or simply pay on the day with cash or by contactless when you board the bus. Easy peasy!

  • Adult Day: £3.10
  • Adult off-peak: £2.60 (after midday)
  • Child (5-18) Day: £1
  • Group Day*: £5.20
  • Concessionary Day: £1.60
  • Mobility Pass Holders and Companions: £1.60 before 9am, and FREE thereafter
  • Flexi: £34.10 (12 tickets for the price of 11)

*Group Day is valid for up to 2 adults and 3 children arriving in the same car.

You can grab your Park & Ride tickets in advance on the FREE First Bus App, easy peasy!

Please note, that another operator's buses also operate to and from the Park & Ride site, however any ticket bought for a service that is not the Sandon Park & Ride from First Bus, will incur an additional £3.60 charge for parking. Parking is free using the Sandon Park & Ride from First Bus. 

How Park & Ride works

1

Drive

Travel to our easy to reach Park & Ride and follow signs to the car park.

2

Park

Parking is free in any marked bay — all you need to do is pay for your bus journey.

3

Catch the Bus

Board one of our modern & comfy buses. Relax, sit back, and leave the traffic to us - it’s all part of the ride!

4

Keep hold of your ticket

You'll need it for your return journey and to scan at the barriers when you leave the car park.

Want to visit one of our other Park & Ride Sites?

Useful tools


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Maps

Find out more about our Sandon Park & Ride route.

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Journey Planner
 
app
Download the First Bus App

Travelling by bus on Sandon Park & Ride couldn't be easier!

Download here


Frequently Asked Questions

Parking

Overnight parking is not permitted at Sandon Park and Ride. Check the opening times for the site before you travel.

​​​​​​No, overnight parking is not permitted, so vehicles cannot be left on site for consecutive days. However, you’re welcome to use the Park & Ride service on multiple days — as long as you leave the site before closing each day and return to park again the next day.

Yes, you can buy a parking only ticket via the Mobon App (120003) or at the kiosk located near the building prior to returning to your car. A parking only ticket is £3.60

All our sites are equipped with Closed Circuit Television (CCTV). However, whilst all of these provisions are in place, in line with most car parks, parking of any vehicle is entirely at the owner’s risk.

You can still enter the Park & Ride site on foot. Once you’ve retrieved your car, drive up to the barriers and scan your First Bus ticket or your parking only ticket and they’ll open automatically to allow you to exit.

Yes, provided you pay for a parking only only ticket via the Mobon App (120003) or at the kiosk located near the building prior to returning to your car. A parking only ticket is £3.60

How to use the Service

Park your car. The First Bus will collect you from inside the car park, you can wait in the terminal building. Buy your ticket on the First Bus App, or with the driver using cash or contactless. Keep your ticket. You’ll need this for the return journey, and to scan at the barrier when you exit.

Sandon Park & Ride is situated on the A12/A414 junction. The postcode is CM2 7RU

No, there’s no need to book. Simply follow the four easy steps: drive to the site, park for free, buy your ticket on the bus, and ride into Chelmsford.

No, you can buy a parking only ticket for £3.60 using the Mobon App (120003) or from the kiosk by the terminal building.

No, no registration is required. Simply park up for free, board the P&R service, purchase a ticket from your driver and enjoy your day! 

Yes, your park & ride day ticket is valid for as many journeys as you need.

No, you can’t. Our Park & Ride tickets are only valid for journeys that start at the Park & Ride site. If you’re starting your journey from any other bus stop, normal fares apply.

Stops & Destinations

Our buses only stop at key city-centre stops, so you’ll always be close to where you need to be. If you need some extra help, our drivers will be happy to assist.

Yes, there’s a bus stop right outside on New London road.

Not quite, but the stop on Duke Street is only a couple minutes walk away.

Payment & Tickets

You can buy your ticket on the First Bus App, or directly from the driver using cash or contactless.

Yes, you can buy a flexi ticket which give you 12 tickets for the price of 11.

Unfortunately not, but we do offer a discounted ticket for concession pass holders at the cost of £1.60.

Yes, group tickets are only valid if you’re travelling together. This is because you’ll only get one ticket for your group, not a ticket each.

A Group Day is valid for a group of up to 2 adults and 3 children arriving in the same car.

Vehicle & Site Restrictions

There is a 2.2 meter height restriction

Accessibility

Yes, each bus has one dedicated wheelchair space, and room for pushchairs and buggies to be folded.

Facilities

Our Sandon P&R site has a range of facilities including:

  • Buses operate 6 days a week
  • Parking is free if you're using the service, pay for your travel on the bus.
  • Getting into the city usually takes around 10-15 minutes, depending on where you're getting off and how traffic is feeling that day.
  • 1377 spaces. Including 2 EV charging spaces, 9 family spaces, 34 disabled spaces
  • Indoor Waiting Area
  • Toilets
  • Accessible Toilet
  • Baby changing facilities
  • Closed Circuit Television (CCTV)
  • Cycle storage
  • 2.2 meter height restriction

Pets

We welcome well-behaved dogs on leads on all of our buses, but please keep them off the seats.

Support

If you believe you have lost something on board the Sandon P&R Service, you can email essexparkandride@essex.gov.uk

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