Bus usage in York continues to grow (York Liberal Democrats)

York Liberal Democrats <info@yorklibdems.org.uk>

Bus usage in York continues to grow

February 6, 2008 11:24 AM

Bus passengers numbers in York keep on growing. That's the message that has come from a recent report from York Council.

In 2005/06 there were 14.5 million bus passengers, in 2006/07 that rose to 15.1 million and this year it is expected that we will hit the target of 16.7 million passengers.

That is a huge number of people travelling on the City's buses each and every day and putting their faith in the bus companies that they rely on to get to work or access services.

Cllr Ann Reid with bus Cllr Ann Reid, Liberal Democrat Executive Member for City Strategy, said, "I am delighted that bus patronage continues to rise in York, which is against the national trend. This year some of that increase is because of the huge increase in the take-up of the bus pass that gives free bus travel in North Yorkshire to elderly and disabled people. This concession is allowing many older people to leave their cars at home, thus cutting congestion and improving air quality.

"This increase comes despite the rise in fares that were introduced in January. We don't yet know what impact, if any, fare increases will have on bus passengers. We do know that a reliable, frequent bus service is the key to getting people out of their cars and onto buses, and the current bus provision in the city does appear to offer a service that passengers are willing to use."