SALISBURY Reds have extended their contract to run Park and Ride services in Salisbury in a deal that the council hope will secure the long-term future of the venture.

The deal with go South Coast, who own the bus company, is for five years with an option for a further three.

They will be operated with low emission vehicles and integrated with the existing services the company provides.

Horace Prickett, portfolio holder for transport, said: “The contract represents good value and has the additional benefit of providing an improved service to the residents of Salisbury.

“This will involve a small number of changes to the way the services are provided and details of these will be announced during the spring.”

A revised bus timetable will be released in the coming months.

Ed Wills, operations director at Go South Coast, added: “This deal will also see continued investment with a further six new vehicles bringing our total investment to over 40 vehicles in the last two years, all of which have the latest environmental emissions standards, helping to make Salisbury a greener and cleaner city.”