All aboard! Grimsby's Riverhead Exchange bus super-stop facility is officially up and running

THE first passengers have enjoyed Grimsby town centre's new super-stop.

Riverhead Exchange, the new indoor waiting area for bus passengers, was officially opened yesterday.

The new facility provides seating, a cafe, toilets and real-time information showing the expected arrival and departure times of services in the town centre.

The development was praised by passengers and hailed by council bosses as another "tangible symbol" of the town's regeneration.

Council leader Chris Shaw said: "It is a great facility. Passengers can now keep warm and dry and enjoy a cup of tea whilst waiting for their bus instead of having to stand outside in the wind and rain."

Jon Donnelly, commercial manager at Stagecoach East Midlands, who announced that the company would be investing £4 million in 20 brand new buses over the coming months, said: "I have been involved with Grimsby for the past ten years or so and I have seen a lot of changes. This facility is bright and practical."

Councillor Ray Oxby, portfolio holder for regeneration and skills, said: "It is one of the final pieces of the jigsaw around the bus station area.

"Real-time information will make a huge difference to the customer experience. In winter passengers can sit in a warm comfortable environment and not have to endure the elements outside. The negative experience will be minimised."

Council chief executive Rob Walsh said: "This is another tangible symbol of the regeneration of this town and area progressing."

Mike Hunter, 52, of Banbury Court, Grimsby, one of the first passengers to use the new super-stop, said: "It's very good. You are sheltered from the rain and you know what times the buses are coming in."

George Baker, transport committee chairman of Eng-Age, a group which represents the over-50s, had been critical of the proposed changes to the town centre, but said he was prepared to give them a chance.

"We haven't got what we thought we were going to get, which was a drive-in reverse-out system, and I am not a fan of the new paving, but the cafe is excellent. It will be much better waiting indoors and the real-time information is going to be a Godsend."

The Riverhead Exchange will open daily from 7am to 9pm, while the cafe, run by Care4All, will open from 8am to 6pm.

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