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10
Jan 2023
Talks are taking place to maintain the 24 bus route between Pateley Bridge and Harrogate.
The service provides a lifeline for many people in rural parts of Nidderdale, including Birstwith, Darley and Summbridge.
But North Yorkshire County Council said today its survival was in the balance — amid uncertainty over the future of 80 bus services in the county.
Until October 2022, all Monday to Saturday journeys on the 24 were operated commercially by the Harrogate Bus Company, which is owned by French transport firm Transdev.
But in October the company announced the service was no longer commercially viable and it intended to withdraw most journeys, which prompted the county county to prop it up until April this year.
North Yorkshire County Council's executive member for highways and transportation, Cllr Keane Duncan, said today:
Cllr Keane Duncan
Bus fares charged by the Harrogate Bus Company and Connexions Buses were capped at £2 for three months from the start of this year as part of the government-funded Help for Household scheme.
Michael Harrison, a Conservative who represents Killinghall, Hampsthwaite and Saltergate on the county council, said the 24 route, which passes through his division, was highly valued by many people. He added:
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