Park and ride to start earlier and finish later

Emily Johnson & Richard Edwards
BBC News, Yorkshire
First Bus (from left) Andy Cullen, Mayor David Skaith, councillor Kate Ravilious and councillor Pete Kilbane stand in front of a bus. They hold up signs saying "05:30" and "Last bus home 22:30".First Bus
The changes will come into effect from 20 July

Bus services to and from York's park and ride sites are set to start earlier and finish later, it has been announced.

From Monday to Saturday, the first bus will leave the park and ride at 05:30 and the last bus back from the city centre will depart at 22:30.

Elected Mayor of York and North Yorkshire David Skaith said the new timetable, which is due to begin on 20 July, would benefit everyone from shift workers to visitors enjoying the city's nightlife.

The extension is being funded by York's Bus Service Improvement Plan, supported by the Department for Transport.

'City has really changed'

Currently, the first buses leave the sites at 07:00 from Monday to Saturday and return at about 20:00.

The mayor said he had been waiting for the hours to be extended for "so long".

"We all see that York has really changed, we have a lot more offerings on an evening.

"Speaking to so many customers and visitors to our city, who are having to leave concerts and restaurants early, having these extended hours will allow them to enjoy the city all year round," he added.

Councillor Kate Ravilious, from City of York Council, added: "The six park and ride sites cover every corner of York and with up to three children traveling free with a paying adult, offers an excellent alternative to driving in to York.

"They also make an invaluable contribution to reducing congestion across our city."

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