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26
Jan
Bus passenger numbers in North Yorkshire remain below covid levels, a council report has revealed.
The report says the current £2 fare cap scheme has led to a recovery but numbers remain about 90% of pre-covid levels. The figure falls to 70% for concessionary pass users, which is putting extra pressure on rural routes where older passengers represent a greater proportion of users.
The report by Andy Clarke, the North Yorkshire Council's public and community transport manager, raises questions about the long-term viability of some bus routes.
Some rely heavily on the £2 fare cap to boost numbers as well as subsidies from local and national government. The report warns "providers are reviewing their services more than ever before".
It says:
Mr Clarke provided the update ahead of next week's meeting of the council's transport, economy, environment and enterprise overview and scrutiny committee.
The council is developing a new local transport plan. A parallel project will see a new strategic transport prospectus drafted for the incoming Combined Authority mayor in May.
These policy documents, produced jointly with City of York Council, will set out a transport vision and strategy plus a delivery plan.
The report says there are "good service levels in the Harrogate and Scarborough areas" but adds:
A combination of council funding and Department for Transport grants means "we can keep the current network in place until at least 2025/26", the report says, but it does not say what will happen beyond then.
The reduced fare scheme was originally due to run for three months but was then extended until 30th June 30, 2023 and then until December 2024.
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