First Bus invests in more buses on Park and Ride to support shoppers, retailers and hospitality as York gears up for Christmas
- Additional services to run from 9 November to 21 December
- Increased frequency at all six sites on Friday, Saturday and Sunday
First Bus is introducing extra buses on the Park and Ride network, which it operates in partnership with City of York Council, to support the York local and visitor economy in the lead up to Christmas.
The additional services will begin from Sunday 9 November and run until Sunday 21 December on Fridays, Saturday and Sundays.
This investment in vehicles and drivers will increase frequency on key routes connecting York’s retail and leisure destinations and the city centre.
Kayleigh Ingham, Commercial Director for First Bus in North & West Yorkshire, said: “We are delighted to enable more capacity on our services for York locals and visitors as the festive season gets into full swing.
“The opening of the Christmas Market is just one of the significant attractions in York and we want to help customers enjoy everything the city has to offer.
“Encouraging more people to use Park and Ride using our zero-emission bus fleet will help reduce traffic congestion in York and create cleaner air during a busy period on the roads.”
The usual timetable will operate at all sites Monday-Thursday.
Cllr Kate Ravilious, Executive Member for Transport at City of York Council, added: “We welcome this news and the efforts made by First Bus to help us reduce traffic congestion on York’s roads. As part of its partnership with City of York Council, the extra Park and Ride buses will support the York local and visitor economy in the lead up to Christmas.
“Using the Park and Ride is now an even better option with late night opening and frequent services. The adult return fare is £3.90 which includes up to three children travelling for free, making the Park and Ride a great value and hassle-free option for travelling in and out of the city centre.”
The Park and Ride now has buses beginning at 05:30 in the morning and journeys out of the city centre up until 10:30pm.
A campaign to inform customers and visitors is underway and full details can be found by visiting the First Bus website https://www.firstbus.co.uk/york/routes-and-maps/york-park-ride/christmas-services
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Notes to editors
About First Bus
First Bus is one of the UK’s largest bus operators, carrying more than 1.5 million passengers every day. Its local bus services serve over 25% of the population of Great Britain and more than half of the UK’s top 15 most populated urban areas.
The company is a leading operator in the majority of its local areas, including major urban centres such as Glasgow, Leeds and Bristol. In London, First Bus operates 83 routes in west and central areas from 10 garages, serving 180 million passengers annually. The combined operation manages a fleet of more than 5,750 buses across the UK.
First Bus is the UK’s largest national bus operator to achieve real Living Wage employer status, reflecting its commitment to putting people and customers at the heart of its operations.
The company is committed to operating a zero-emission bus fleet by 2035 and will have more than 1,500 zero-emission buses in service by the end of 2026.
As part of its investment in zero-emission infrastructure, First Bus is converting depots across the UK to accommodate electric buses. Through First Charge, its commercial electric vehicle charging service, the company opens up this high-powered depot charging infrastructure to other fleet operators as part of one of the UK’s largest networks of ultra-rapid charging superhubs, helping businesses progress their decarbonisation journeys.
First Bus also operates Specialist Passenger Solutions, First Travel Solutions, York Pullman Bus Company, Lakeside, Ensignbus, Anderson Travel, and the Aircoach network and Matthews in Ireland.
First Bus is a division of FirstGroup.
Find more information here: https://news.firstbus.co.uk/