Residents are being encouraged to have their say about the detail of a proposed ‘Enhanced Partnership’ between the council and bus operators.

In April this year the Department for Transport made an indicative funding award of £17.3 million to City of York Council for its Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP). One of the proposed measures in the Plan is improvements to local bus service levels. To be able to make use of this funding, the council must enter into a statutory Enhanced Partnership with local bus operators.

There is now a public consultation on the Enhanced Partnership plans, which can be accessed at https://www.itravelyork.info/enhanced-partnership-consultation  The consultation closes on 8th September.

In the draft Enhanced Partnership Plan document on page 16 there is a proposed commitment (ref. A-BN1) for the council and bus operators to develop the core bus network, with a view to filling gaps in the current network provision.

In June and July the local Lib Dem councillor team undertook a residents’ survey in Woodthorpe and Acomb Park to gather feedback on local services and issues. One of the issues which frequently came up in the feedback was unhappiness with the number 12/12A bus service.

For many local residents, the 12/12A service is their only practical way of getting around, and so when the service doesn’t run to time or doesn’t turn up, it means that it can’t be relied on if you need to get to work, education or an appointment. And the withdrawal the 11S Sunday service when the pandemic began has left many residents effectively housebound every Sunday.

Last year we welcomed First’s introduction of the 12A service, to restore a half-hourly service between Woodthorpe and the city centre, but the route has not changed back to how it was, meaning that passengers travelling from town to the stops on the Woodthorpe loop have an elongated journey via Foxwood before coming back to Woodthorpe.

All of this means that if the service can’t be relied upon or doesn’t meet people’s needs, they are less likely to use it, and so the service becomes less viable financially.

We believe it is important that First, and the council, understand the importance of the number 12 service for Woodthorpe residents, so we are encouraging everyone to make their voice heard through this consultation.