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Just 26 free permits have been granted since a trial 'park-and-ride' scheme was launched last month – and even fewer are being regularly used by commuters.
The scheme – which allows islanders living in the west of the island to park their cars for free and hop on a bus to town – aims to encourage greater use of public transport.
But Infrastructure Minister Andy Jehan said commuters had not taken up the offer and most permit-holders were using the scheme on an “ad hoc” basis and outside of rush hour.
The pilot initiative began operating out of the Airport playing field car park near Les Quennevais School in May.
Pictured: The Airport playing field car park near Les Quennevais School and Les Ormes was chosen as the site for the pilot initiative.
The site was chosen following discussions with the Jersey in Transition environmental group.
Park-and-ride schemes have proved popular throughout the UK and Europe, enabling commuters to park their cars on the outskirts of a town or city and travel into the centre by bus or another form of sustainable transport.
Jersey in Transition had initially unveiled a proposal to use the former Covid-19 testing area at the Airport, but Constable Jehan explained that the chosen location was “much easier and quicker” for implementing the trial as it is already owned by the Government.
Constable Jehan previously said he anticipated a low uptake at first – a prediction which has so far proved true.
Speaking to Express yesterday, he said: “We've issued around 26 permits so far, and we've just printed a few more off. I didn’t set a limit to the number we can issue.”
He added: “The permits have been well-received, however in terms of success, we’re seeing only a few people have been using them. The car park is not full every day.
“And from our little intelligence, it doesn’t appear to be commuters who are using it. It tends to be people going later in the day, and on a more ad hoc basis.
"The problem is that it’s available to everyone.”
Pictured: Infrastructure Minister Andy Jehan said "there’s merit in pursuing this initiative".
The Infrastructure Minister continued: “We’re keen to see it work and consider other areas that might be suitable.
"What we want to do is try and find a couple of suitable alternative areas, where it’s not going to impact on existing activity and where there is a good frequency bus to make it attractive."
Constable Jehan said that efforts had recently been made to publicise the scheme, including featuring it in the parish magazine and Rural magazine.
“I think there’s merit in pursuing this initiative,” he said. “It's only been several weeks, so let’s give it time.
"There remains a significant financial saving in terms of bus fares against parking fees each day.”
Jersey in Transition chair Nigel Jones previously said he hoped to see the scheme replicated in other parishes should the trial prove successful.
Islanders can pick up a permit application form from the reception at Les Quennevais Sports Centre.
Permit holders are able to park at the Airport playing field from Monday to Friday between 06:00 and 19:00, and use the nearby bus stop on Route des Quennevais for their onward journey.
The permit and parking is free, but users will need to pay for their bus journey as normal.
The permits expire at the end of August.
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