First has been awarded York’s Park & Ride (P&R) contract for a further three years.
Working in partnership with the council, First York has successfully operated all five P&R sites for more than 15 years and will continue to do so for another three years.
In addition, one of the city’s principle bus companies has now also been signed-up to operate the new P&R site at Poppleton, which is set to open in 2014.
Vehicles used in York eco bus trial in 2010
As part of the new agreement First will be operating a new electric bus service from the new 600-vehicle facility at Poppleton Bar, which is set to open in Spring 2014. The purchase of the buses has been part funded through the Coalition Government’s Green Bus fund, which awarded £594k to First in May.
Six electric buses are set to be deployed on the York Park & Ride network, though a bid submitted by First York. The new buses will provide cleaner and greener bus journeys for thousands of passengers across the city.
Simon Pearson, Commercial Director for First in York, said: “First is delighted to have been given this three year extension to continue to run the successful York Park and Ride Service.
“This is an exciting time for bus travel in York. The new electric buses and a new P&R site at Poppleton will further enhance York’s image as one of the UK’s most innovative and forward thinking cities.
“In partnership with the City of York Council, we will continue develop new and effective ways of making bus travel better for our customers and communities in York and we have a number of other exciting initiatives ready to be launched over the next few weeks.”
Congestion levels along the routes into the city centre will be cut by increasing the parking capacity to 1,100 vehicles at Askham Bar. Junctions to the new sites will be provided off the A59 and A1036 and major improvements to the A59/A1237 roundabout will be delivered as part of the works, which will run through to May 2014.