York bus plan could be a 'game-changer'
City of York Council is asking the government for £48m to make improvements to bus services.
Last updated 13th Oct 2021
It's claimed a £48m bus improvement plan in York could be a "game-changer" for the city.
City of York Council is asking the Department for Transport (DfT) for money to electrify York’s bus fleet, improve service frequencies and bring in a flat fare system for young people - among other improvements.
The government has promised to spend £3bn on improving bus services outside of London in this parliament - and has asked local authorities to come up with plans.
Julian Ridge, the council’s sustainable transport manager, said: “The aspiration is for a network of urban routes that run every 10 minutes between 7am and 7pm, Monday to Friday, with similar frequencies on a Saturday and a lower frequency on Sundays and in the evenings.
“If we do get the funding we’ve asked for it does have the potential to be a real game changer.”
The document was discussed at a meeting of the council’s climate change policy and scrutiny committee, where councillors were told transport is responsible for almost 30 per cent of York’s city-wide emissions.
There are around 150 buses operating across York and Mr Ridge said, if the improvement plan and a separate DfT bid are successful, the only diesel buses left operating would be those running to places such as Scarborough and Hull, which are “very difficult” to convert.
A £50,000 feasibility study to see if an electric city centre shuttle bus could run in York is also set to be submitted as part of the improvement plan.
Committee chair Christian Vassie welcomed that proposal, adding: “It would provide a viable, easy way for people with mobility problems to get right around the city centre, and at the same time provide an opportunity for other residents to catch connections, and for tourists to get front the station to their hotel.”
Mr Ridge pointed out that, unlike many areas of the country, York had seen a two-thirds increase in bus users since the year 2000, and the city has the 11th highest trip rate outside of London.
“We are already building on 30 years of pro-bus policies and investment,” he added.
Executive member for transport Andy D’Agorne will decide whether to sign off on the bid next week.
He said: “Providing sustainable and accessible public transport across the city is fundamental to achieving the city’s carbon reduction goals and supporting the growth strategy set out in the Local Plan. To encourage greater use of the bus network, services must be safe, convenient and attractive to residents, commuters and visitors.”