Local bus services reviewed to secure long-term support – City of …
Key bus services that serve local communities in York are being reviewed and consulted on by City of York Council, to ensure support can continue longer-term.
Bus users are encouraged to have their say on the review until Wednesday 17 January 2024.
Take part in the bus services review survey[1].
During the consultation, paper copies of the consultation are available at all local libraries in York. Paper copies can be sent back via this freepost address:
Bus Review ConsultationRTEG-TYYU-KLTZCity of York CouncilWest OfficesStation RiseYorkYO1 6GAThey are also available in alternative formats such as braille or large print, which you can request by emailing: [email protected][2], or contacting Customer Services on telephone: 01904 551550.
Drop-in sessions are also being held at Friargate on Monday 8 January, from 2,00pm to 5.00pm, and on Wednesday 10 January from 2.00pm to 7.00pm - in connection with Our Big Transport Conversation[3].
The proposals will help to ensure that the bus network is more stable and efficient, reflecting post-COVID-19 passenger demand, and that services are more affordable and reliable.
The review has taken account of how well services are currently used. One of the outcomes of the review is that only services with an average of at least 8 passengers per bus hour continue to be subsidised.
In recognition of the social value to outlying villages, relatively high operating costs and smaller passenger base, rural bus services with daytime departures every 2 hours or less will receive a greater level of subsidy, of up to £6.80 per passenger, if services are at risk.
Hourly or better services, including those in urban areas of the city, will only be eligible for support if they have an ongoing cost to the council of no more than £3.40 per passenger.It is estimated the proposals will deliver around £200,000 of savings in 2024 to 2025, which will help offset overall rising bus operating costs.
Cllr Pete Kilbane, Executive Member for Economy and Transport, said:
We recognise these proposed changes would impact on residents’ daily lives, so it’s important to us that we hear feedback and are able to reflect this in the final proposals. These changes seek to deliver an affordable, efficient and stable bus network, enabling bus patronage to grow and services to become financially sustainable.
“But this comes with a stark warning that if the government does not provide longer term funding support, or bus usage doesn’t increase - further services may be impacted in future. The BSIP funding we have provides only short term relief to the ongoing pressures facing bus operations.”
The following service changes are proposed:
Service 1
It's proposed to withdraw support for journeys with very low usage and high cost-per-passenger, specifically the journeys timed at 10:32pm, 11:17pm and 11:19pm, Sunday evening journeys on service 1, and potentially the pre-6.00am Monday to Saturday journeys.
See a map showing the current service 1 route[4] (First Bus York).
Service 11
It's proposed that all service 11 journeys will operate via the South Bank loop. In addition, it is proposed that the service frequency will reduce from every 50 minutes to an hourly service.
In parallel with this change, it is proposed to remove the service 26 South Bank loop (more details below).
See a map showing the current service 11 route[6] (First Bus York).
The proposed changes to service 11 will result in the South Bank part of the route (currently labelled ‘evening journeys only’ on the First Bus York map) instead being operated throughout the day.
Services 12 and 14
It's proposed to merge services 12 and 14 into one contract to offer a more efficient service, and better value for money. No overall service frequency reduction is anticipated and all stops will continue to be served, however minor timetable changes would be required to interwork the 2 timetables.
Description of current route 12
Monks Cross; York; Woodthorpe; Foxwood Lane:
From Monks Cross Drive via bus only road inside Monks Cross Shopping Park, Jockey Lane, New Lane, Malton Road, Elmfield Avenue, Monkton Road, Byland Avenue, Huntington Road, Fossway, Dodsworth Avenue, Heworth Green, Foss Bank, Peasholme Green, Stonebow, Coppergate, Nessgate, Low Ousegate, Bridge Street, Micklegate, George Hudson Street, Rougier Street, Station Road, Queen Street, Blossom Street, The Mount, Mount Vale, Tadcaster Road, Askham Bar Tesco internal road, Moor Lane, Alness Drive, Acomb Wood Drive, Bellhouse Way (eastbound), Foxwood Lane, Bellhouse Way, Acomb Wood Drive, Alness Drive, Moor Lane, Moorcroft Road to Woodthorpe shops.
Foxwood Lane; Woodthorpe; York; Monks Cross:
From Woodthorpe shops via Acorn Way, Ryecroft Avenue, Grassholme, Moor Lane, Askham Bar Tesco internal road, Tadcaster Road, Mount Vale, The Mount, Blossom Street, Queen Street, Station Road, Station Avenue, Rougier Street, George Hudson Street, Micklegate, Low Ousegate, Clifford Street, Tower Street, Piccadilly, Stonebow, Peasholme Green, Jewbury, St Maurice’s Road, Monkgate, Heworth Green, Dodsworth Avenue, Fossway, Huntington Road, Byland Avenue, Monkton Road, Elmfield Avenue, Malton Road, New Lane, Jockey Lane to Monks Cross Drive.
See a map showing the current service 14 route[8] (Transdev).
Service 13
The majority of the route currently taken by the number 13 will remain the same.
It's proposed that the Flaxman Croft loop, Copmanthorpe section of the Monday to Friday services will be withdrawn. This will result in an additional walking distance from this are to the nearest bus service of up to 650 metres.
It is also proposed that West Nooks, Haxby is served by an hourly variation of service 1 (proposed to be numbered 1A) rather than the half hourly service 13.
Description of current weekday route 13
Copmanthorpe; York; Haxby (West Nooks):
From Station Road (Copmanthorpe) via Main Street (Copmanthorpe), Horseman Lane, Top Lane, Merchant Way, Flaxman Croft, Merchant Way, Top Lane, Tadcaster Road (Copmanthorpe), A1036 Tadcaster Road, Askham Bar Tesco, Tadcaster Road (Dringhouses), Mount Vale, The Mount, Blossom Street, Queen Street, Station Road (York Rail Station), Station Ave, Rougier Street, George Hudson Street, Micklegate, Bridge Street, Low Ousegate, Nessgate, Clifford St, Tower St, Piccadilly, Pavement, The Stonebow, Peasholme Green, Jewbury, St Maurice’s Road, Monkgate, Huntington Road, Haley’s Terrace, Haxby Road, Hawthorne Terrace, Haxby Road (New Earswick), York Road (Haxby), Station Road (Haxby), Towthorpe Road to West Nooks (Haxby).
Haxby (West Nooks); York; Copmanthorpe:
West Nooks (Haxby) via Towthorpe Road, Station Road (Haxby), The Village (Haxby), Westfield Road, Greenshaw Drive, Wheatfield Lane, Eastfield Avenue, York Road (Haxby), Haxby Road (New Earswick), Hawthorne Terrace, Haxby Road, Haley’s Terrace, Huntington Road, Foss Bank, Peasholme Green, The Stonebow, Pavement, Coppergate, Nessgate, Low Ousegate, Bridge Street, Micklegate, George Hudson St, Rougier St, Station Road (Grand Hotel), Station Rise, Station Road (York Station), Queen St, Blossom St, The Mount, Mount Vale, Tadcaster Road (Dringhouses), Askham Bar Tesco, A1036 Tadcaster Road, Tadcaster Road (Copmanthorpe), Top Lane, Horseman Lane, St Giles Way to Station Road (Copmanthorpe).
Description of proposed weekday route 13
Copmanthorpe; York; Haxby (West Nooks):
From Station Road (Copmanthorpe) via Main Street (Copmanthorpe), Horseman Lane, Top Lane, Tadcaster Road (Copmanthorpe), A1036 Tadcaster Road, Askham Bar Tesco, Tadcaster Road (Dringhouses), Mount Vale, The Mount, Blossom Street, Queen Street, Station Road (York Rail Station), Station Avenue, Rougier Street, George Hudson Street, Micklegate, Bridge Street, Low Ousegate, Nessgate, Clifford Street, Tower Street, Piccadilly, Pavement, The Stonebow, Peasholme Green, Jewbury, St Maurice’s Road, Monkgate, Huntington Road, Haley’s Terrace, Haxby Road, Hawthorne Terrace, Haxby Road (New Earswick), York Road (Haxby) to The Village (Haxby).
Haxby (West Nooks); York; Copmanthorpe:
From The Village (Haxby) via Westfield Road, Greenshaw Drive, Wheatfield Lane, Eastfield Avenue, York Road (Haxby), Haxby Road (New Earswick), Hawthorne Terrace, Haxby Road, Haley’s Terrace, Huntington Road, Foss Bank, Peasholme Green, The Stonebow, Pavement, Coppergate, Nessgate, Low Ousegate, Bridge Street, Micklegate, George Hudson Street, Rougier Street, Station Road (Grand Hotel), Station Rise, Station Road (York Station), Queen Street, Blossom Street, The Mount, Mount Vale, Tadcaster Road (Dringhouses), Askham Bar Tesco, A1036 Tadcaster Road, Tadcaster Road (Copmanthorpe), Top Lane, Horseman Lane, St Giles Way to Station Road (Copmanthorpe).
Description of proposed route 1A:
York; Haxby (West Nooks):
From Station Road (York Rail Station) via Museum Street, St Leonard’s Place, Gillygate, Clarence Street, Haxby Road, Hawthorne Terrace, Haxby Road (New Earswick), York Road (Haxby), Eastfield Avenue, Oak Tree Lane, Holly Tree Lane, York Road, Station Road (Haxby), Towthorpe Road to West Nooks (Haxby).
Haxby (West Nooks); York:
From West Nooks (Haxby) via Towthorpe Road, Station Road (Haxby), York Road (Haxby), Holly Tree Lane, Oak Tree Lane, Eastfield Avenue, York Road (Haxby), Haxby Road (New Earswick), Hawthorne Terrace, Haxby Road, Clarence Street, Gillygate, St Leonard’s Place, Museum Street to Station Road (York Rail Station).
Services 16 and 24
It's proposed that bus service 16 is retendered as a longer, hourly route, taking in the Ascot Way loop from service 24. This proposal would reduce the frequency of service 16 from every 45 minutes to every hour. There would also be a loss of the direct link from Poppleton Road to Ascot Way, with a change required in Acomb.
See a map showing the current Service 24 route[11] (Transdev).
Description of current route 16
York; Acomb via Holly Bank Road:
From Piccadilly via Coppergate, Nessgate, Low Ousegate, Bridge Street, Micklegate, George Hudson Street, Rougier Street, Station Road, Station Rise, Station Road, Queen Street, Blossom Street, Holgate Road, Hamilton Drive East, Holly Bank Road, Hob Moor Drive, Collingwood Avenue, Hamilton Drive, Hamilton Drive West, Green Lane (Acomb).
Acomb; York via Holly Bank Road:
From Green Lane (Acomb) via Hamilton Drive West, Hamilton Drive, Collingwood Avenue, Hob Moor Drive, Holly Bank Road, Hamilton Drive East, Holgate Road, Blossom Street, Queen Street, Station Road, Station Avenue, Rougier Street, George Hudson Street, Micklegate, Bridge Street, Low Ousegate, Nessgate, Coppergate, Piccadilly, Merchantgate.
Description of proposed route 16
York; Holly Bank Road; Acomb; Ascot Way:
As above to Green Lane (Acomb), then via Front Street, Gale Lane, Tudor Road, Stuart Road, Danesfort Ave, Kingsway West to Ascot Way.
Ascot Way; Acomb; Holly Bank Road; York:
From Ascot Way via Ashford Place, Windsor Garth, Kingsway West, Danesfort Ave, Gale Lane, St Stephen’s Road, Cornlands Road, Askham Lane, Front Street, Green Lane (Acomb), then as above to Piccadilly.
Service 19
An hourly Monday-Saturday service is proposed. This would result in a reduction in the current morning frequency from half-hourly to hourly. Priority will be given to maintaining school-time journeys.
The proposed changes will only affect the frequency of service 19 and will have no impact on the routings.
A description of current route 19
Skelton; York:
From Brecksfield, Skelton, via Fairfields Drive, A19 Shipton Road, Howard Drive, Shipton Road (service road adjacent to The Mitre), Bowness Drive, Eastholme Drive, Green Lane, Water Lane, Rawcliffe Drive, Rawcliffe Lane, Brompton Road, Water Lane, Burdyke Avenue, Crichton Avenue, Burton Stone Lane, A19 Clifton, Clifton Green, Water End, Salisbury Road, Salisbury Terrace, Kingsland Terrace, Leeman Road, Station Rise, A1036 Station Avenue, A1036 Museum Street, A1036 St Leonard's Place to Exhibition Square.
York; Skelton:
From Exhibition Square via A19 Bootham, Burton Stone Lane, Crichton Avenue, Burdyke Avenue, Water Lane, Brompton Road, Rawcliffe Lane, Rawcliffe Drive, Water Lane, Green Lane, Eastholme Drive, Howard Drive, A19 Shipton Road, St Giles Road, The Village (Skelton), Brecksfield (Skelton).
A description of the current route 19A
Afternoon variation to maintain timetable during congested PM peak period.
Skelton; York:
From Brecksfield, Skelton as per route 19 to Eastholme Drive then Rawcliffe Lane, Rawcliffe Drive (serving stops in opposite direction to 19), Water Lane,then as per route 19 from Burdyke Avenue.
York; Skelton:
From Exhibition Square as per route 19 to Burdyke Avenue then Water Lane, Rawcliffe Drive (serving stops in opposite direction to 19), Rawcliffe Lane, then as per route 19 from Eastholme Drive.
A description of the current route 19X
Early morning variation to return to Skelton quickly.
York; Skelton
From Exhibition Square via Bootham, Clifton, Shipton Road, St Giles Road, The Village (Skelton), Brecksfield (Skelton).
Services 24, 25, 26
It's proposed that the contract for services 24, 25, and 26 will be retendered to provide an hourly service to Acomb and Derwenthorpe and a half-hourly service to Fulford Crossfield Crescent and Germany Beck. The proposed new service numbers are:
- 24 - Fulford; Acomb (incorporating half of the current route 26 and the current route 24 as far as Acomb shops)
- 25 - Fulford; Derwenthorpe (route unchanged)
This proposal will result in the loss of a direct link in one direction from Fulford to South Bank. (Note, it is already not possible to make an unbroken bus journey in the other direction, from South Bank to Fulford).
Service 26 will be merged with service 24 as above.
No route changes are proposed to service 25, other than serving Germany Beck via the same route as the proposed route 24 (Thornton Road, Bishopdate Way, Whitting Close, Porter Avenue, Thornton Road, Fordlands Road to Crossfield Crescent).
Following a period of consultation, the feedback will be taken to an Executive meeting in late January, with a view to implementing some of the changes at the end of April 2024 and others later in 2024.
A mixture of open tender procurement exercises and de minimis agreements will commence following Executive approval, in order to secure bus operators for these services.
The council strategy to safeguard the local bus network is to encourage users to return to using buses, and the key to ensuring this happens is to maintain as stable, frequent and reliable set of services as possible with the available funding.
Through the Enhanced Bus Partnership[14] we’ll be continuing to work closely with bus operators and stakeholders on how City of York’s Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) funding should be invested to support bus services in the coming years. The Partnership will also be crucial in proactively promoting public transport use across the city to help cut congestion and provide access to jobs and services.
There’s also still time to feedback on the Our Big Transport Conversation to help shape the future of transport across York and its surrounding villages.
For a full list of events, activities and ways to take part, as well as all the materials and questions, see the Our Big Transport Conversation consultation[15].
A description of the proposed route 24
Fulford; York; Acomb:
From Crossfield Crescent via Fordlands Road, Thornton Road, Bishopdate Way, Whitting Close, Porter Avenue, Thornton Road, Main Street (Fulford), Heslington Lane, Broadway, Fulford Road, Fishergate, Tower Street, Piccadilly, Coppergate, Nessgate, Low Ousegate, Micklegate, George Hudson Street, Rougier Street, Station Road (Grand Hotel), Station Rise, Station Road (York Rail Station), Queen Street, Blossom St, Holgate Road, Poppleton Road, Grantham Drive, Howe Hill Close, Sowerby Road, Lindsey Ave, Boroughbridge Road, Carr Lane to York Road (Acomb Shops).
Acomb; York; Fulford:
From York Road (Acomb Shops) via Carr Lane, Boroughbridge Road, Poppleton Road, Grantham Drive, Howe Hill Close, Sowerby Road, Lindsey Ave, Poppleton Road, Holgate Road, Blossom Street, Queen Street, Station Road (York Rail Station), Station Avenue, Rougier Street, George Hudson Street, Micklegate, Low Ousegate, Nessgate, Clifford Street, Tower Street, Piccadilly, Merchantgate, Walmgate, St Deny’s Road, Piccadilly, Paragon Street, Fawcett Street, Fishergate, Fulford Road, Broadway, Heslington Lane, Main Street (Fulford), Thornton Road, Bishopdate Way, Whitting Close, Porter Avenue, Thornton Road, Fordlands Road to Crossfield Crescent.
References
- ^ Take part in the bus services review survey (www.york.gov.uk)
- ^ [email protected] (www.york.gov.uk)
- ^ Our Big Transport Conversation (www.york.gov.uk)
- ^ See a map showing the current service 1 route (www.firstbus.co.uk)
- ^ Top of page (www.york.gov.uk)
- ^ See a map showing the current service 11 route (www.firstbus.co.uk)
- ^ Top of page (www.york.gov.uk)
- ^ See a map showing the current service 14 route (www.transdevbus.co.uk)
- ^ Top of page (www.york.gov.uk)
- ^ Top of page (www.york.gov.uk)
- ^ See a map showing the current Service 24 route (www.transdevbus.co.uk)
- ^ Top of page (www.york.gov.uk)
- ^ Top of page (www.york.gov.uk)
- ^ Enhanced Bus Partnership (www.itravelyork.info)
- ^ Our Big Transport Conversation consultation (ourbigconversation.york.gov.uk)
- ^ Top of page (www.york.gov.uk)