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Dec 2021

Last Updated: 22/12/2021

Transport

Free Harrogate buses every Sunday in January and February

by Connor Creaghan

| 22 Dec, 2021

With coronavirus cases on the rise and further restrictions on the agenda, this free service is expected to entice more visitors into Harrogate.

The Harrogate Bus Company CEO Alex Hornby; Harrogate BID Marketing Assistant Holly Dale; Harrogate BID Chair Sara Ferguson; Harrogate BID Business and Marketing Executive Bethany Allen; Harrogate BID Manager Matthew Chapman; and Harrogate BID host Jo Caswell.

Shoppers will be able to take advantage of free buses every Sunday in January and February to give businesses in Harrogate town centre a much-needed boost.

Free buses will be available on the electric services only - on the 2, 3 and 6.

The Harrogate Business Improvement District (BID) has once again sponsored scheme, called the Sunday Freeway, after partnering with the Harrogate Bus Company in 2020 and 2019.

Tomorrow also marks the final day of Harrogate BID's free parking initiative on Mondays to Thursdays after 3pm at the Victoria multi-storey car park.

With coronavirus cases on the rise and further restrictions on the agenda, this free service is expected to entice more visitors into Harrogate.

Back in 2019 the free Sunday buses generated a 90% rise in the number of customers travelling compared with the same period the year before.

Sara Ferguson, Harrogate BID chair and business owner, said:

“This is the third time we have partnered with our local bus operator, and on both previous occasions it helped to increase the number of passengers.

"This year, we have chosen January and February, which can be quiet months for the retail and hospitality sectors.

"Harrogate town centre is well worth a visit at any time of the year, and we hope the added incentive of free bus travel will make it even more appealing."

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The Harrogate Bus Company CEO Alex Hornby said:

"We’re delighted that Harrogate BID are able to again work in partnership with us to support our ‘Sunday Freeway’ on our Harrogate electrics buses.

"Free Sunday travel on our pioneering Harrogate electrics buses will make it easier to support our local economy and help keep our town’s traders in business into 2022.

"It’s been an incredibly challenging time for Harrogate’s businesses, with previous lockdowns and now the prospect of further restrictions.

"More than ever, it’s now up to us all to support them in the vital first few months of the New Year by taking advantage of free travel on Harrogate electrics buses."

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Free Harrogate buses every Sunday in January and February

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