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24

Sept 2022

Last Updated: 23/09/2022
Transport
Transport

YorBus: Transport chief defends service after 'blank cheque' concern

by John Plummer

| 24 Sept, 2022
Comment

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YorBus allows people in rural areas around Ripon, Masham and Bedale to book buses via an app.

yorbusgrantley1-web-1
A YorBus service, which operates in Masham and Ripon.

The transport boss of North Yorkshire has moved to defend the county’s on-demand bus service after concerns were raised that it could become a “blank cheque” of public funding.

YorBus was launched as a trial to provide services in poorly-served areas in Ripon, Masham and Bedale, and allows passengers to book via an app.

It has been hailed by North Yorkshire County Council as an “innovative” approach to public transport and the authority has repeatedly stated its ambition to roll-out the scheme across the county.

However, there have been concerns over the running costs which are higher than normal bus services subsidised by the council.

Cllr Keane Duncan, executive member for highways and transportation at the county council, has now said “incorrect” figures were discussed at a recent meeting and that the costs are reducing as more passengers use the service.




Read more:



  • On demand Yorbus sees over 13,000 trips in first year

  • YorBus: On-demand service’s running costs are twice as much as regular buses






He also said it is “unfair” to compare YorBus with normal services because of its flexible offer.

Cllr Duncan said: 

“The average cost per passenger journey as of August 2022 is £11.68 – that’s £3 more than the average subsidy per journey on for the fixed services.
“This figure has reduced from £35.00 per passenger journey in the month it launched (July 2021), and this continues to reduce as passenger numbers increase.
“Comparing YorBus with fixed timetable routes is in many ways unfair. While YorBus has a higher subsidy per journey at present, it is available to around 14,000 people within its zone of operation.
“Conventional services may have a lower subsidy level but operate on a fixed timetable.
“This can only benefit those lucky enough to live along the bus route.”


In total, YorBus cost the council £229,000 last year, and another £230,000 has been set aside for the remainder of the trial period which will run until June 2023.

Passenger fees were also recently increased in August with a single journey costing £2 for adults and £1 for a child, while under-fives travel free and concessionary bus passes can also be used.

Keane Duncan

Keane Duncan 



At a council meeting earlier this month, concerns were raised over the running costs and that taxpayers outside the trial area are not seeing any benefits.

Settle Cllr David Staveley said that with 850 active YorBus users out of 611,000 population in North Yorkshire, there will be many residents who “might not think it is the best use of taxpayers’ money”.

He said:

“I’m just a bit worried that it sounds like a blank cheque.”


In response, Cllr Duncan said in a statement this week:

 “YorBus is very positive in the sense that it maximises the number of people we can offer transport to and is much more flexible.
“People can be picked up and dropped off at any bus stop in the zone.
“It’s also worth remembering that YorBus is a pilot.
“We’re continually reviewing the service and making improvements so we’re in the best position to decide whether we can expand it to new zones in the county.”