North Yorkshire County Council has launched its pilot on-demand bus service called YorBus, allowing travellers to book public transport at times to suit them.
People who live in Ripon, Masham, Bedale and the surrounding villages can use the YorBus app to chose a pick-up and drop-off bus stop and travel within the service area at their leisure.
There is a flat fare: adults will pay £1.20 and children aged five to 17 will pay 65p. Those under five travel for free.
Those living in the blue area can access YorBus to travel around it
The service will run from 6.55am to 6pm during the week and 9am to 6pm at weekends. There is no service on bank holidays.
The app allows the customers to keep track of the bus’s location and gauge how long it will take to arrive.
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Customers can download the YorBus mobile phone app from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store. Those who do not have a smart phone can book their public transport over the phone on 01609 780780.
The council has assured those who struggle with mobility that the service will be fully accessible with low floor and ramp access.
This service is going to be regularly reviewed and, if successful, will inform its decision for a wider rollout within the country.
District’s residents asked for views on emissions targets
North Yorkshire residents are being urged to have their say on targets to cut carbon emissions from road and rail vehicles in the wider region to almost zero by 2045.
The North of England Decarbonisation Strategy aims to slash greenhouse gas emissions by tackling surface transport, which covers people and goods moved by cars, vans, lorries, buses and trains.
‘Net zero’ means a state in which greenhouse gas emissions are at the lowest possible rates combined with policies to mitigate the remaining emissions, such as planting trees.
Transport for the North (TfN), a sub-national transport body, estimated that in 2018 the region saw 26 million tonnes of CO2 emissions from surface transport, which represented almost a quarter of the UK’s total road emissions.
Its consultation document includes four future travel scenarios to suggest how emissions may change depending on how much action is taken.
Proposed measures include phasing out petrol, diesel and hybrid car and vans by 2030, and boosting sales of zero-emission vehicles by 2025.
TfN also wants to encourage higher use of public transport and reduce private car travel, to decarbonise the rail network and suggests authorities could consider introducing clean air zones or congestion changes.
Other suggestions include cycle and e-scooter hire schemes, low-traffic neighbourhoods, and prioritising planning developments close to existing transport hubs to create ’15/20-minute neighbourhoods’
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Harrogate-based councillor Don Mackenzie, the executive member for access at North Yorkshire County Council, said:
“The county council fully supports TfN’s proposed Decarbonisation Strategy. Our county is the largest in the country and residents often have to travel long distances just to reach destinations within North Yorkshire.
“That is why we support improvements in public transport whenever we can to offer alternatives to the private car. We also continue to expand opportunities for safe sustainable travel, and to invest in the county’s digital infrastructure to improve broadband and mobile phone reception.”
The Climate Change Act (2019) commits the UK government to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 100% of 1990 levels by 2050.
This law is linked to 2015’s ‘Paris Agreement’, which aims to limit the global average temperature increase to no more than 2°C above pre-industrial levels, and try to limit the rise to 1.5°C.
To find out more and respond to the consultation visit transportforthenorth.com/decarbonisation. The consultation opens today and closes at noon on August 31 2021.
Tim Wood, interim chief executive at TfN, said:
New on-demand bus service for Ripon and Masham“We urge everyone in North Yorkshire to get involved in this vital work and provide their views to the consultation, helping to shape future transport networks that are not only efficient and reliable, but are sustainable too.”
Ripon and Masham are to get a new on-demand bus service as part of a pilot scheme to improve links to rural areas.
YorBus, which is run by North Yorkshire County Council, launches on July 1 and is due to be trialled for 12 months.
The service allows passengers to book a ride when and where they need one.
Once a passenger has chosen a pickup and drop-off location, they will need to head to a bus stop for a pooled ride.
Residents can book the bus through an app or by phone. The app will be available from June 28.
YorBus covers the area shaded in blue.
The app allows passengers to plan and track their bus journey, including how long the bus will take to arrive.
It will operate from 6.55am to 6pm on weekdays and 9am to 6pm on Saturdays.
There will be a flat fare of £1.20 for adults and 65p for children between the ages of 5 and 17. Children under 5 can travel for free. Concessions can also be used.
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YorBus is also fully accessible, with low floor access and a ramp for those with wheelchairs and pushchairs.
Cllr Don MacKenzie, the executive member for access, stated:
“The YorBus project is intended to provide transport to help people to travel to work, to go shopping, to attend medical appointments and to access other services, which they need. We hope it will offer a viable and affordable alternative to the private motor car.
“The flexibility of the scheme also means that a high proportion of seats on buses will be occupied on every journey, which will lead to better value for money and greater environmental benefits too.”
To promote the launch of YorBus, the council is running roadshows to speak to residents about the service, stopping off at the following locations:
- June 22 9:30-11:30: Bedale
- June 23 9:30-11:30: Masham
- June 24 9:30-11:30: Ripon
- June 24 13:00-14:00: Grewelthorpe
- June 24 14:30-15:30: Kirkby Malzeard
- June 25 9:30-11:30: Lightwater Valley
- June 25 13:30-15:30: Fountains Abbey
New housing and commercial developments in Ripon could fund a better local bus service.
Ripon City Council’s transport group has been trying for several years to create a more integrated bus timetable for all parts of the city.
The current RS1 Ripon city service provided by North Yorkshire County Council operates to restricted hours during the week and doesn’t run at all on weekends.
But it is hoped that section 106 funds, which developers have to pay to fund infrastructure projects, could be used to improve matters.
Councillor Peter Horton, who chairs the transport group, told the Stray Ferret:
“We are well served by Transdev’s regular 36 double decker buses that provide journeys to and from Harrogate and onward to Leeds but our inner-city service is patchy.
“When commercial operators were no longer able to provide an internal Ripon service, we were grateful that North Yorkshire County Council stepped in to help but their mini-bus covers only around half of the city and we are looking for a more joined-up service.”
Councillor Peter Horton, who says section 106 funds from Ripon developments can help pay for a new bus service.
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Some money to improve the service has been allocated from the parish precept.
Section 106 planning money from the retail development at Rotary Way, where a Marks & Spencer opened last year, is another possible source.
Longer-term, there are plans to build 1,300 homes at the Clotherholme development on the site of the former army barracks, which is another possible source of section 106 income.
Councillor Horton said:
“We will liaise with North Yorkshire County Council as the integrated passenger transport authority to discuss how the sources of funding can be drawn together.
“As a growing city, it makes sense to have a robust and regular bus service that reduces the need for cars to come into the centre, where parking is at a premium, while also providing a means for non-drivers to come into town.
“There are environmental benefits as well, as fewer car journeys into Ripon city centre will reduce the emissions that cause global warming.”
Harrogate bus passenger worried by lack of face masks
A Harrogate bus passenger has complained to the bus company after finding that more than half of people on board were not wearing face masks.
Chris Hill had just paid his fare on Monday when he realised that only two people out of five on the bus were wearing face masks.
It has been the law to wear face mask on public transport since June but there are some exceptions to the rule.
When Mr Hill questioned the driver he said that drivers do not have to enforce any rules or question anyone.
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Unhappy with that response, he took his complaint to the parent company of the Harrogate Bus Company Transdev and the Stray Ferret. He said:
“I think that if you drive around with a sign saying the buses are clean and safe then you have to enforce this. It’s not a problem on trains.
“When someone gets on the bus they should be able to prove that they have an exemption. If not the driver should refuse entry.
“If the bus driver cannot enforce the rules then they should make that clear to other passengers who may feel at risk. It’s difficult but more can be done.”
Frank Stanisauskis, the general manager of The Harrogate Bus Company, said:
Have your say on the future of Harrogate town centre“Since the rules came into place in June we’ve taken several steps to make sure all our customers know that, unless they are exempt, they need to wear a face covering.
“That includes giving away free face coverings, selling our own reusable ones in our bus station shop, adding notices visible when customers board and alongside every row of seats on the bus, as well as including information about face coverings to our audio announcements on board.
“Because the Government has allowed some broad exemptions to the face covering rules, many of which relate to disabilities or difficulties which are not visible, we do still expect to see customers on board who aren’t wearing one.
Buses are clean and safe – reported as ‘the safest places on earth’ by leading scientists, and backed up by national and international studies into covid-19. We can reassure any customer, that when they are on board our buses we’ve taken every precaution to ensure their safety and that of our driving and cleaning teams.”
We want to hear your opinions on all things Harrogate. From public transport to shopping, parking to nightlife.
The town is known for its independent shops and wide range of bars and restaurants, ass well as its beautiful scenery across the Stray and beyond.
But, even without covid, times are changing, and some businesses have struggled. The Stray Ferret has reported on several well-known shops having to close down in recent months, with existing struggles compounded by lockdown.
Our big Harrogate survey is still open to everyone over 18 from across the district who uses the town centre for work or leisure.
By clicking here to complete this survey you have the opportunity to give your views on what the town needs, what it can change and what you love about it.
The survey takes about 10 minutes and everyone who takes part will be entered into a prize draw with free gifts – a Stray Ferret umbrella or a 12 pack of special Stray Ferret beer brewed by Harrogate-based Roosters.
The results will be published on The Stray Ferret website to continue the debate about the future of our town.
The Harrogate Bus Company is selling colourful face masks in order to raise money for NHS Charities Together.
The bus operator is making it easier for people to get their hands on a face covering. Masks are being sold in the shop at Harrogate Bus Station for £2.50 with all proceedings going to NHS Charities Together.
As of today face coverings are compulsory when entering hospitals and travelling on public transport. It’s part of the next stage in easing lockdown restrictions set out by the government.
Face coverings designed by The Harrogate Bus Company
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The Harrogate Bus Company’s CEO, Alex Hornby said:
“The latest Government guidance is a simple ‘ask’ of our customers, so everyone can travel with peace of mind. Our buses are clean, safe and ready to go, and we want everyone to travel in comfort and confidence.
The Harrogate Bus Company is also giving away free face coverings to key workers who have been riding buses to get to work during lockdown – to claim, email: keyworker@transdevbus.co.uk with either your bus pass number, or the email address registered to your mobile ticket account.
The Harrogate Bus Company’s Operations Director Vitto Pizzuti (front left) and CEO Alex Hornby (front right.)
Meanwhile, North Yorkshire County Council is reminding people to dispose of their face masks, gloves, wipes and tissues correctly. These items cannot be recycled and should be disposed of in general waste.