First York and City of York Council announce changes on two Park and Ride services
- Changes will be introduced on Sunday 28 January 2024
- New routes for Rawcliffe Bar Service 2 and Poppleton Bar Service 59
First York and City of York Council have announced a change to routes on two Park and Ride services in the New Year to support the continued introduction of zero emission buses into the city.
The changes will commence on Sunday 28 January 2024.
Service 2 from Rawcliffe Bar will travel into the city along Bootham and no longer serve Leeman Road. This will create a new stop outside the Theatre Royal for inbound journeys. The bus then completes a loop over Lendal Bridge to serve Station Avenue and Museum Street on its return to the Park and Ride.
Leeman Road and access to the National Railway Museum and York train station will be served by the 59 from Poppleton Bar. This will complete a new loop, travelling along Water End, Salisbury Road and Kingsland Terrace to join Leeman Road and then continue its existing route to serve Clifford Street and return.
The change to Service 2 is necessary due to the low bridge on Leeman Road and replacement of the current diesel bendy buses with electric double-deckers which are needed to maintain capacity.
There will be some improvements required to bus stops along the new route for the number 2 and 2A, from Rawcliffe Bar Park & Ride through Bootham, to make them accessible. Works will progress as soon as possible to ensure these are refurbished, but this is likely to take some time, and not all of the bus stops will be fully refurbished by the time the new routes are in place.
Michael Moore, Head of Network for First Bus in North & West Yorkshire, said: “We have worked closely with City of York Council’s transport team to decide how best to manage these necessary changes. The route alterations will maintain connectivity and frequency to support customer journeys and open up new stopping opportunities.”
He added: “The York Electric fleet is progressing on corridors across the city to improve the travel experience of residents and visitors and create cleaner and quieter streets for the benefit of everyone.”
Cllr Pete Kilbane, Executive Member for Economy and Transport at City of York Council, said: “Through the council’s successful £8million Zero Emission Bus Regional Area (ZEBRA) bid last year, First’s commitment to introducing a fully electric fleet by 2024 will become a reality in January.
“These temporary changes to the routes will allow the Park & Rides to continue delivering the frequent and low cost services that support millions of visitors who use it every year. We hope that it’ll give a boost to the Poppleton Park & Ride, which will support passengers down Leeman Road and the National Railway Museum.”
Full details of timetables and information will be published on the First York and iTravel York websites in early January.
Ends
Notes to editors
Media enquiries to Richard Harrison, PR Manager, First Bus North & West Yorkshire 07973 668116 richard.m.harrison@firstbus.co.uk
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