First 24/7 bus service launched in York

Transdev says its ground-breaking service, which will start in the university's Freshers Week without public subsidy, had been devised after the company listened to the needs of its university passengers.

"Unibus 24/7 will run between the station, city and university hourly right through the night, along with a turn up and go timetable during the main part of the day and every 20 minutes in the evening," said a spokesman.

The news comes weeks after Transdev revealed it was to run the rival Unibus service for students despite losing a university contract for the service to another firm, First Bus.

Managing director Alex Hornby said yesterday that the new-look Unibus was the first of its kind in the city. "We’re proud of what we have achieved in the past few years by doubling the number of travellers through convenient bus travel, driven by the friendliest drivers in the city,’’ he said. "This is all about us taking Unibus to its next level of growth.’’

The spokesman said a recent independent study had shown that Unibus was "streets ahead" in providing top-class customer service to its passengers.

"The results showed that 92 per cent of staff and students scored Unibus’ drivers as good or excellent, compared to 66 per cent on the competing service.

Meanwhile, 84 per cent of respondents had said Unibus offered greater value for money, compared to 52 per cent on the competitors’ buses."

The spokesman said Unibus had also come to the rescue in Acomb, stepping in after First Group withdrew the 13A. "Unibus will run every 30 minutes from Acomb’s shops, along Hamilton Drive to the train station, where it will pick up the Unibus route right through the city centre and on to the university.

"Fares will start at £1.50 for a single trip into the city in a bid to attract new users. As well as a handy link into the city and train station, this will also offer a quicker route between Acomb and the University which would have not otherwise been available."