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© Les Smith |
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Here you will find answers to Frequently Asked Questions about the event, divided into categories. |
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Visitors FAQs
Q: What time does the event start and finish? A: The event runs from 10am to 4pm.
Q: How much does it cost to get into the event? A: Nothing, entry to the event is free. However we do hope that you will support the event by purchasing a programme. We accept cash and card payments. The event costs a lot of money to organise and unless we cover the costs the event won't be held in future years.
Q: Can I bring my dog to the event? A: Yes, well behaved dogs on a short lead are welcome at the event. Please be a responsible dog owner and clear up after your dog. You will only be able to take your dog on the free bus services if the driver / conductor agrees. (Assistance dogs will be carried on all the free bus services).
Q: Are there disabled toilets at the event? A: Yes, there are disabled toilets located inside the Martin Read Hall and Stevens buildings, which surround the College Green where the Sales Stands and Caterers are located.
Q: Are there parent and child toilets at the event? A: Whilst there are no designated parent and child toilets, you may find that the toilets in Stevens building are suitable as these are all self contained individual unisex toilets. Stevens building is next to the College Green where the Sales Stands and Caterers are located.
Q: Are there baby changing facilities at the event? A: No. The event is held at a college so there are no baby changing facilities.
Q: Do you have visitor car parking? A: No, there is no car parking at or near the College. Visitors should park in one of the public car parks in Alton Town Centre (these are all signposted in the town), all of which have disabled parking bays, and either walk to the College or catch the frequent free Park & Ride bus service to the College. Some journeys on the Park & Ride bus service will be operated by low floor accessible buses (see timetable for details).
Q: Do you have visitor motorcycle parking? A: No, there is no motorcycle parking at or near the College. Visitors should park in one of the public car parks in Alton Town Centre (these are all signposted in the town), some of which have motorcycle parking bays, and either walk to the College or catch the frequent free Park & Ride bus service to the College.
Q: Do you have disabled parking? A: No, there is no car parking at or near the College. Visitors should park in one of the public car parks in Alton Town Centre (these are all signposted in the town), all of which have disabled parking bays, and catch the frequent free Park & Ride bus service to the College. Some journeys on the Park & Ride bus service will be operated by low floor accessible buses (see timetable for details). However, please note that the event covers a large area, approximately 300 metres / yards in length.
Q: Do you have visitor set down / pick up by car at the event? A: No, there is no visitor set down / pick up by car at the College and no visitors vehicles are permitted on site. You should set down / pick up by car in Alton Town Centre and your passengers should either walk to the College or catch the frequent free Park & Ride bus service to the College. Some journeys on the Park & Ride bus service will be operated by low floor accessible buses (see timetable for details).
Q: Can wheelchairs be accommodated on the Free Bus Services? A: Unfortunately most of the buses used on the free bus services are historic vehicles that were built before the concept of wheelchair accessible buses was conceived, so they do not have a wheelchair space or ramp and they have steps and poles which wheelchairs are unable to negotiate. However, any journeys scheduled to be operated by wheelchair accessible buses will be shown accordingly in the timetables contained in the event programme. Some journeys on the Park & Ride bus service will be operated by low floor wheelchair accessible buses (see timetable for details). The maximum weight of wheelchair plus occupant that can be carried is 300kg.
Q: Can mobility scooters be accommodated on the Free Bus Services? A: No. Unfortunately, we are unable to convey mobility scooters on the Free Bus Services. However, mobility scooters may be left, at your own risk, in the designated 'Mobility Scooter Parking Area' at Alton College Bus Station.
Q: Can pushchairs be accommodated on the Free Bus Services? A: Folded pushchairs can be carried on the free bus services at the driver / conductor's discretion and subject to there being space available. Please note there is very limited space on the buses for pushchairs and some vehicles have no space at all. Pushchairs must be folded before boarding the vehicle. Unfolded pushchairs cannot be carried on the free bus services as the buses used are historic vehicles that were built before the concept of accessible buses was conceived and they don't have pushchair space ('buggy bays') and have steps and poles to negotiate in order to enter the vehicle. However, pushchairs may be left, at your own risk, in the designated 'Pushchair Parking Area' at Alton College Bus Station.
Q: How much do the Free Bus Services cost to travel on? A: Nothing, they are free to travel on. However we do hope that you will support the event by purchasing a programme. We accept cash and card payments. The event costs a lot of money to organise and unless we cover the costs the event won't be held in future years.
Q: Where are the best places to take photographs of the buses? A: For volume of vehicles it is in Alton College and the roads outside the College. For buses on the Free Bus Services the route between Alton College, the Town Centre and The Butts in Alton is the busiest section. For those more unusual or photogenic shots there are numerous Free Bus Services that run through picturesque countryside and villages. It is usually possible for passengers to take photos of the buses at the termini of the Free Bus Services (if you plan to re-board the bus ask the driver or conductor before getting off so you don't get left behind!). Timetables, route maps and vehicle allocations for all of the Free Bus Services being operated, together with details of the vehicles entered, are contained in the event programme available to purchase on the day of the event.
Q: Can I purchase a programme by mail order in advance of the event? A: No, due to the print deadline being close to the event, to ensure the programme is as accurate as possible, the programmes aren’t delivered until a few days before the event leaving insufficient time to post programmes out before the event. In addition, due to the size and weight of the programme the postage cost (£1.50 at 2019 prices), which would need to be paid for by the purchaser, would likely be considered by many people as too expensive. Also see question and answer below.
Q: Can I purchase a programme in person in advance of the event? A: No, unfortunately we don't have the facility to sell programmes before the event. Also see question and answer above.
Q: Where can I purchase a programme on the day of the event? A: Programmes can be purchased from the Programme Sales outlets at Alton College on the day of the event. The main programme sales outlet is located in Alton College Bus Station.
Q: Is there a display of other vehicle types (cars, commercials, motorcycles, etc) at the event? A: No, as the college is a smaller site we've gone back to our roots as a bus only event as unfortunately there is insufficient space for a display of other vehicle types.
Q: Is the Alton Bus Rally & Running Day part of the Watercress Line steam railway? A: No. Although the event was established in 1995 as a Watercress Line special event, following a change of management and direction at the railway the event was dropped by the Watercress Line from their Special Events line up in 2021. However, the small team of volunteers that organised the event for the railway weren't prepared to throw a highly successful event and decades of hard work away so they decided to continue the event independent of the railway and since 2022 it has been run independently by the same organising team.
Q: Why is the event no longer held in Anstey Park? A: Please see the Event Update from the organisers, as this is not a brief answer.
Q: Can I have a barbecue or fire at the event? A: No, barbecues and fires are not permitted anywhere in Alton College grounds.
Q: Can I fly a drone at the event? A: No, the flying of drones is not permitted in Alton College grounds. |
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Vehicle Entrants FAQs
Q: What time should I arrive with my vehicle exhibit? A: Vehicle exhibits can arrive from 09:00. If possible please arrive before the event opens to the public at 10:00. However we realise that some of you have a long distance to travel in a slow vehicle so if you cannot get there for 10:00 it is not a problem.
Q: I haven't entered my vehicle exhibit in advance, can I just turn up on the day? A: No, all vehicle exhibits must be entered in advance of the event and by the closing date for entries.
Q: Can I enter a vehicle that isn't a bus or coach as an exhibit? A: No, unfortunately there is insufficient space on the site for a display of other vehicle types.
Q: Can we park our vehicle exhibits together? A: Generally yes if you arrive together. Exhibits are parked in the order that they arrive on site so if you wish to park your exhibits together please arrange to meet off site and arrive together. |
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Stall Holders FAQs
Q: What time should I arrive with my sales stand? A: Stall holders can arrive from 08:30. Please note that the site is not open before this time. Your stall must be set up and ready to trade when the event opens to the public at 10:00.
Q: I haven't entered my sales stand in advance, can I just turn up on the day? A: No, all sales stands must be booked in advance of the event. The number and types of sales stands are strictly controlled to try to ensure that all stall holders should be able to enjoy a successful days trading. |
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Miscellaneous FAQs
Q: Can I hire one of your buses for a private party, wedding or other occasion? A: No, the Alton Bus Rally & Running Day does not own any buses itself. You can find companies that hire buses and coaches in your area, whether vintage or modern vehicles, by using an Internet Search Engine. Also see question and answer below.
Q: Can I hire one of the vintage buses that comes to the event? A: Yes, some of them are available to hire. Below is a list of bus and coach operators that have vintage buses and/or coaches for hire who's vehicles regularly appear at the event:
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Can't find the answer in our FAQs? Then contact us with your question. |
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