The secrets of sustainable travel at Milton Park

Last year we found that the range of perks, services and facilities at Milton Park had gone under the radar with many people who work here, as well as those who live nearby.

That’s why in 2023, we’re launching our ‘Want to know a secret?’ campaign to make sure we shout much louder about our community, highlighting what’s on offer at the Park, including benefits of working here, amenities and events.

At Milton Park we want to offer as many sustainable travel options as possible for our occupiers, as well as people living in Didcot and surrounding areas.

Over the past few years, we’ve launched an array of travel initiatives encouraging people to use public and active transport options, which are not only better for the environment, but also your pocket too.

£20 bus pass for the year?

If you work at Milton Park and commute from Didcot, Drayton, Great Western Park, Ladygrove, Milton, Northbourne, Steventon or Sutton Courtenay (see zone map here), you’re eligible for our £20 yearly bus pass which you can use on all bus services to and from Milton Park to home.

Even if you travel to and from the Park an average of just one day a week throughout the year, you could save over £100 compared to the standard bus fare.

By offering this pass to those with the shortest journeys to and from the Park, we’re not only supporting a high proportion of people living locally (38%) but also targeting what would be some of the most polluting car journeys.

To find out our top five tips for using the Milton Park buses this year, please visit: www.miltonpark.co.uk/news/milton-park-buses-our-top-five-tips

Cycle for free with our bike hire scheme

Those working at Milton Park can hire bikes and e-bikes for free by signing up to the Donkey Republic app with your work email address. On the app, you’ll be able to see where the bikes and ebikes are located around the Park and at Didcot Parkway train station, and you can hire them for 48 hours without being charged.

Last year, we upgraded all our bicycles with bright orange frames and sturdier baskets for safer road use. Helmets are also available to borrow from the Park’s Innovation Centre or Bee House. With the days starting to get longer and brighter again, now is the perfect time to saddle up and give it go if you haven’t already.

Fast and frequent train travel

Located just seven minutes away from the Park, Didcot Parkway train station is easily accessible by bus or bike. Travel by train for journeys further afield with fast and frequent connections to Bristol Temple Meads in under an hour, London Paddington in 45 minutes and Swindon, Reading and Oxford in 15 minutes. To plan your journey, click here.

Milton Park car-share app

With the current cost of living crisis, we’re keen to help people working at Milton Park save on their fuel costs while also reducing the number of single occupancy cars across the site.

That’s why we’ve paired with KINTO Join to provide a free, easy-to-use Milton Park car sharing phone app (find out more here), helping you to connect with those working at Milton Park and share your commute to work.

Find your nearest charging point

With 39 electric vehicle (EV) publicly available charging points across the Park, including a rapid charger outside the Bee House, and with more to come over the course of the year, you can easily find a convenient space to plug in while you work – find out more here.

UK’s first fully electric autonomous bus service

Following its successful demonstration day, the UK’s first ever fully electric autonomous bus service is now running at Milton Park as part of the Mi-Link project.

During the first phase, the 15-seater free service is operating as a circular route from the Bee House to the Milton Feast and is open to all as we seek to find out the public’s attitudes towards autonomous vehicles.

Plans for later this year include two autonomous services taking passengers to and from Milton Park and Didcot Parkway train station.

For more information, please visit: www.miltonpark.co.uk/mi-link-autonomous-bus

To find out more, please visit our ‘Travel’ page and to keep up to date with this campaign make sure you’re following us on socials and are signed up to our monthly e-newsletter.