As plans continue to develop for the new season, U's chairman Robbie Cowling has issued the following update regarding the matchday shuttle bus service.
With Season Tickets going on sale next Monday, I thought it is only fair that I give supporters fair warning of a change to the shuttle bus service.
When we first moved to the new stadium, there was very little infrastructure in place to help spectators make the journey from the town to the stadium and back. Therefore we laid on shuttle buses to assist with such a journey and, for the last 10 seasons, we have been continuing to do so at a considerable cost to the club.
For the last three seasons, the numbers for the shuttle buses have been as follows:-
| Year | Paying Customers | Average Paying Customers | Bus Costs | Bus Income | Club Subsidy |
| 2015/16 | 7,146 | 274 | £38,717.00 | £17,865.00 | £20,852.00 |
| 2016/17 | 5,011 | 208 | £30,660.00 | £12,527.00 | £18,133.00 |
| 2017/18 | 4,671 | 166 | £35,586.00 | £11,249.00 | £24,337.00 |
Ten years on and there is now more infrastructure to support movement in and out of the stadium, which is reflected by the decline in the number of paying supporters now using the buses. Last season, the club’s subsidy for the buses was over £1,000 a game and equated to £5.21 per customer.
It was never the intention for Colchester United to indefinitely subsidise this travel to this degree and, with all of the facts before me, I have therefore made the decision to withdraw the shuttle bus service as of this season.
I hope users of the shuttle buses can be grateful to the club for running the service for as long as it did, and understand why I have taken the decision I have done at this time.
I would also like to thank First Buses for the excellent service they have provided to Colchester United and its supporters for those 10 years.
Getting To The Stadium On A Matchday
In light of Robbie's update, we felt it pertinent to detail the travel options that are available to supporters on a matchday.
- Stadium Car Parking
Car parking at the stadium (with 667 spaces) is available to supporters both on a seasonal basis and, for home and away fans, on a match by match basis.
Parking can be bought online at www.colutickets.com, in person at the Ticket Office windows before a matchday or by calling 01206 755161. On occasion, permits may be available on a matchday itself, but we would strongly advise purchasing in advance.
- Colchester Park & Ride Car Park
Parking (with 1,000 spaces) is also available at the nearby Colchester Park & Ride. Supporters are advised to return to the stadium site via Boxted Road (leaving via the pedestrian exit near to McDonald's).
- Park & Ride Buses
Park & Ride buses, serving the Park & Ride to and from the town centre, are available on Saturdays. The timetable for the Park & Ride service can be found HERE.
- Other Bus Services
First Buses, number 65: Starting in Stanway, this bus passes through the town centre and picks up at Colchester train station before travelling to Mill Road. Supporters can alight this service near to the Water Tower on Mill Road and head back to the stadium via Olympic Boulevard and Via Urbis Romanae. Timetable HERE.
Arriva, number 2: Starting in Highwoods, this bus service travels through town and picks up at the train station before travelling to Nayland Road. Supporters should alight near to the Dog & Pheasant pub and head to the stadium via Boxted Road. Timetable HERE.
Arriva, number 8: Starting in Monkwick, this bus service also passes through town and picks up at the train station before travelling to Mill Road. Supporters should again alight near to the Water Tower on Mill Road. Timetable HERE.
For the Colchester Network Map, click HERE | For a map of the buses that bring you close to the stadium, click HERE
- Cycle Routes
Colchester United has secure cycle parking at the ground. There are shared use cycle routes from the Park & Ride, along Axial Way, Via Urbis Romanae and United Way. The Axial Way path links into the Severalls Lane path and on to Ipswich Road, St John's and Greenstead via St Anne's.
Coming from town, Mile End Road is a quiet route with a partial shared path. Full details of the local cycle network, and a route planner, can be found at www.colchester-cycling.org.uk and Colchester.cyclestreets.net, or by contacting Emily Harrup on emily.harrup@colchester.gov.uk.