YORK'S newest Park&Ride site opens this weekend with the launch of a fleet of electric buses.

The latest 600-vehicle Park and Ride site at Poppleton Bar is due to open on Sunday as part of a £22.7 million pound project that includes a larger facility near to the current Askham Bar Park&Ride.

The six new buses - Optare Versa EVs - will be running on service 59 between Poppleton Bar and York city centre from Sunday.

The first EV will leave Poppleton Bar at 9.30am and will offer a frequent 10-minute service, seven days a week.

Peter McCarthy, manager of First Park & Ride which works with City of York Council, said: “We’re ready to welcome customers on board these fabulous new vehicles that offer free wi-fi and the latest in comfort.

“I’m sure this new environmentally-friendly way to travel will be a huge success and help reduce congestion in our city.”

Cllr David Levene, cabinet member for transport at the council, said: “York has become the first city in the North to introduce a new fleet of electric buses thanks to a successful bid in May last year, which awarded York £1.2 million funding towards new electric buses for York’s P&R network. Passengers can try these out on a number of services, including the brand new Poppleton Bar Park & Ride.

"Our aim is to encourage even more people to travel by bus and increase passenger numbers by 18 per cent by 2015. We know our ongoing work to improve services, will help to deliver real benefits for the city and for every £1 spent in York this project should deliver £4 of benefits by reducing congestion, improving air quality and health and reducing road accidents.”

Work began on the Poppleton site last May and it is the largest transport infrastructure investment since the outer ring road was built in the 1980s.

The Park & Ride routes aim to transport customers into York in 15 minutes.

It is hoped the new sites will help cut congestion levels along routes into the city centre as well as offer low prices and free parking.