A £17.3M government-funded bus service improvement plan is boosting bus-related facilities in York and driving passenger use, particularly amongst young people.

City of York Council says the plan, announced in 2022, has delivered 250,000 reduced price bus tickets sold to families and young people.

The plan also led to the restart of the Poppleton Park and Ride, as well as deliver improvements at other park and rides.

The fare reductions first introduced in September 2023 and extended to older teenagers in February 2024, are part of an on-going series of investments being made across the city’s network.

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Funded by government and managed by City of York Council, the project has also provided residents with improved facilities at bus shelters, and seen new real time information screens installed, with more to come during autumn.

Some 175 new or replacement real time information screens will be installed across the council area, which include an audio announcement facility.

More than 50 shelters will be upgraded with painting, better lighting and seating. Twenty shelters will also be replaced.

The work also extends to kerbs and hardstanding, where over 30 bus stops without raised kerb and/or suitable hardstanding for wheelchair access will be improved. Locations have been prioritised by proximity to services (hospital/school/care homes) and current condition of stop.

City of York Council also highlights free fares for up to three accompanied children aged under 16 to those paying in full or using a concessionary pass.

There is also a £1 single fare for under 19s. Those aged 5-18 can buy an All York Young Persons Day ticket for £2.50 and £12 for a weekly ticket.

The city council says tens of thousands of young persons tickets have been sold since January, with the fare reductions increasing their access to work and education.

Eleanor Bennett, Student Experience Manager at York College, said “The subsidised fares have greatly benefited our students by making public transport more accessible and affordable. This initiative has eased the financial burden on families, allowing students to concentrate on their studies without the added stress of travel costs. Education should be accessible to all, and we strongly support this scheme in York.”

Keith McNally, Chair of York’s Enhanced Partnership delivery group, said; “Providing more than quarter of a million tickets to families and young people is a fantastic milestone for York’s BSIP. In addition, I look forward to being able to share some of the proposed improvements we are looking to bring to the city’s network, and we’ll be updating residents and commuters on these later this year”.

Councillor Kate Ravilious, Executive Member for Transport at City of York Council said; “It’s fantastic to see so many young people’s tickets being sold, along with the bus shelter improvements that give people greater confidence in using the bus. By reducing fares we’re enabling young people to be independent, giving them a chance to take up a summer job or simply go and meet their friends.

“I encourage both residents and visitors to use local bus services wherever possible.  Using buses helps sustain bus services, cuts congestion and enables more people to move around more easily”.

Find more about the fare reductions on the iTravel website:  www.itravelyork.info/