MORE than three million passengers used York's Park&Ride service last year, figures released today have revealed.

The milestone marks a bumper year for the buses, which carried more people than ever before, since their launch in 1991.

Today, the service was hailed as "one of the best of its kind in the country", and credited with keeping more than one million extra cars off the city's congested roads.

Julie Hurley, head of transport planning at City of York Council, said: "Park&Ride is probably the most effective tool in the council's armoury to help reduce congestion in the city centre.

"Without it, many of the major roads into the city centre would be completely gridlocked, especially during peak periods.

"Since we opened the latest site at Monks Cross, patronage on the Park&Ride has grown significantly across the city. The three million passengers equate to approximately 1.3 million vehicles kept off the city centre roads each year, and reduced levels of congestion that also have a positive knock-on effect on air quality."

York's Park&Ride is operated by First York. From humble begins - operating as a "holiday only" service - it now operates from five sites, running 362 days a year.

Peter Edwards, commercial director at First York, said: "York's Park&Ride service is one of the best of its kind in the country.

"Not only does it reduce congestion, but it also makes the city, and all it has to offer, accessible to millions of people."

Earlier this month, most First bus fares rose - many by up to ten per cent or more. However, the cost of travelling on a return ticket on the Park&Ride services was frozen, by agreement between First and the City of York Council.