City’s airport bus service is to be cut back for the winter (From York Press)

City’s airport bus service is to be cut back for the winter

12:16pm Tuesday 18th December 2007 in News By Press reporter

YORK'S airport shuttle bus service has been cut back, just nine months after it was launched.

Operator First York has announced it is reducing the number of journeys from York Railway Station to Leeds Bradford Airport.

First has always insisted the scheme is a success, even though most buses have been almost empty.

The firm has now announced it is withdrawing some of the early morning and late night buses over the winter, and has also reduced the daytime frequency from once an hour to once every 75 minutes.

First spokesman Duncan McGraw said the changes were described as "reflecting winter timetables and an attempt to drum up more patronage".

The number of buses has been cut from 17-a-day, seven-days-a-week, to 12 Mondays to Fridays; 11 on Saturdays and ten on Sundays.

Earlier this year, The Press reported the buses were averaging just four passengers each, but the firm said it was hitting its targets.

Mr McGraw said today: "We are not in a position to give actual passenger numbers.

"But what we can say is that passenger numbers on this service has been steady rather than spectacular, and the number of people now using the service in the winter months has fallen compared to the popular summer and autumn months as we anticipated."

It has also been suggested some of the coaches now used will be replaced by service buses.

First's service delivery director, Jonathan Stewart, said the current Volvo coaches would remain in place over the winter, but may be replaced by refurbished saloons next year.

He said the route was being revised to offer facilities for passengers in Knaresborough, and although more stops would be observed, the running time was only being increased by five minutes.