A day of free bus rides and a gathering of old vehicles will be held this weekend to mark the 20th anniversary of a local business.

Connexions buses was founded in 2002 by Craig and Julie Temple, who still run the company today.

To celebrate the occasion, Connexions is hosting a running day at Wetherby Racecourse on Sunday, with modern and vintage buses on show. The oldest will be from 1948, with a number from the following decades and one brand-new bus.

Mr Temple said:

“It’s the first time we’ve done anything like this, but as it’s our 20th anniversary I thought we would make a bit of an effort.”

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Having run the business for two decades, Mr Temple said the last few years have been among the most challenging.

As the company began its recovery from the covid pandemic, while an industry shortage of drivers has put extra pressure on.

“Covid has a lot to answer for. It made people realise they could live on less money or they didn’t want to work as much and preferred their time at home with family.

“People have had nearly a year off driving and it’s appalling how rude and aggressive a lot of people are on the roads now. We see it every day.

“When drivers have left us, it’s not for a driving job somewhere else, it’s to do something totally different.”

Rising costs and expectations

Meanwhile, technology has been revolutionised in the last 20 years, while Mr Temple said customer expectations have also risen significantly.

In the last few months, fuel prices have added to the challenges facing the company. Mr Temple said:

“Fuel prices have massively affected us. We’re a relatively small operation – we have a fleet of 40 vehicles.

“We are paying nearly £12,000 a week more than nine months ago.

“It’s incredibly hard because the customers are the only place it can come from. We’re a good alternative to having to pay more for the car fuel, but us having to put our prices up isn’t helping.

“We get what’s called the Bus Service Operators Grant, a subsidy on the fuel, but it’s 10 or 15 years since it was changed, despite the fuel price having increased. It isn’t helping us very much.”

Setting aside the challenges they face, Sunday will be a day of celebration Craig and his team – including his 19-year-old son, who has joined the family firm as a driver.

Free shuttle buses will run every half hour from Harrogate railway station to Wetherby and the racecourse, then on to York.

The gates will be open from 10am to 4pm and anyone is welcome to attend free.