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Preston North End has provided a club update on away travel and shuttle bus transport.
The club released a statement on their website during Wednesday 31 July after taking on board feedback from supporters when they announced plans this week.
They released an update to say their coach travel would now be managed independently by Tyrers Coaches, following a review of away travel arrangements ahead of the 2024/25 season.
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A spokesperson for the club said: “Some of the issues and feedback the club has received in recent seasons suggested that in some cases, there was an unrealistic expectation of the service the club was providing, including offering a fully-supervised matchday service for unaccompanied younger travellers and dealing with some isolated incidents of inappropriate behaviour.
“The club is not in a position to have the required number of suitably-trained staff employed to manage all these issues on every coach and therefore took the difficult decision to cease its own official away travel provision.”
In the post today, PNE explained that they accept the announcement regarding the home matchday shuttle bus service from Leyland had ‘not been communicated’ to supporters before they took the decision to buy season cards for the new campaign.
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Not withstanding the subsidy charged back to the club given the low numbers using the bus, the service will operate again for the 2024/25 season and will be kept under review beyond. The club encourage supporters to keep this travel option in mind.
The club also expressed their concern about underage supervision during away days, which is why they made the decision to move the provision to Tyrers.
They said: “As a result of the feedback received this week, the club appreciates that supporters value the convenience of booking through the ticket office and therefore will revert to the booking arrangements historically offered – being able to buy in person, over the phone and online.
“However, to fulfil the club’s responsibilities in ensuring all supporters can travel safely and comfortably, there will be a requirement for all under-18 travellers to be accompanied by an over 18. Responsibility for behaviour will rest with individual passengers or their supervising adult.
“Both for safeguarding purposes and to assist the process of getting fans on board, each supporter using the service will require a travel ticket in their own name. The coach driver will take responsibility for ensuring that all passengers are on board and removing any passengers who are not complying with the code of conduct for travel.”
Ambassador discounts will once again be available for away coach travel. For more information you can visit the Preston North End Website.
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