BUS passengers across York are facing another major shake-up, with numerous services being re-routed or reduced.

First York wants to alter nine of its services, including withdrawing the number 16. People on that route would instead be served by a re-directed number 5.

Under plans drawn up by First, there will also be timetable changes to numbers 1, 4, 5, 6, 10, 12 and 13, and route changes on numbers 11 and 13. First is also to change the ticket regulations on its Park&Ride service, meaning passengers can no longer use weekly or monthly tickets to get between intermediate stops along the route.

Coun Steve Galloway, City of York Council’s transport chief, said he opposed that move, and would continue lobbying First officials.

On the timetable and route alterations, he said the council had managed to dissuade First from more damaging cuts, but many will still be affected.

Coun Galloway said among those hit would be Sunday shoppers at Monks Cross, where the only service will now be the hourly 13A instead of half-hourly 13 and 16 services.

The Traffic Commissioner has been advised of the proposed changes, which come just days after fares were hiked on First’s buses. A consultation is now ongoing, and will run until January 23.

Coun Galloway said: “Council officials have managed to move them from their original proposals, which would have resulted in a loss of service on certain routes.”

Coun Galloway said the new proposals were the best council officers could achieve, given restrictions on how much they could influence services.

Heworth Labour councillor Tina Funnell said: “First and the council have tried to be quite clever about how the new proposals are presented. The old 13 route is effectively being removed but a new number 13 service will replace much of what was the old number 16 service in Heworth.”

Coun Ruth Potter said Heworth residents could no longer travel directly to Monks Cross, and said York College students would also suffer. Heworth Without councillor Nigel Ayre said he was pleased the number 13 would remain in the area for the foreseeable future.

A First spokesperson said: “As part of service changes to come into effect next month, service 16 Monks Cross to Acomb will be cancelled. Instead it will be replaced by extending our service 5 route to the south and a re- routing service 13 to the north.

“A majority of our other changes are brought about by the new Park&Ride contract and enhance the timetables in these areas.

Other minor adjustments increase the reliability of our services.”


Proposed changes

Number 1: Frequency reduced to every 20 minutes between 6.30pm and 7.30pm departing from city centre on Monday to Saturday.

Number 4: Slight frequency variations on weekdays from 6pm to 8pm and reductions to every 12-15 minutes from 8.30am to 9am and 4.30pm to 5.30pm, towards the University of York.

Number 5: Slight changes to the Strensall service and service extended to Acomb via Hamilton Drive at half-hour intervals (Monday to Saturday) and hourly intervals on Sunday. Changes to the first and last bus times, and passengers from Acomb will need to change at the station to reach Piccadilly/Stonebow.

Number 6: Frequency reduced to every 11-14 minutes for part of the peak period, and reduced again from 6.30pm to 8pm (weekdays).

Number 10: Minor timing changes.

Number 11: Route revised in Heworth to cover part of the lost 13 route.

Number 12: Minor timing changes to ease the schedule and to coordinate with the 13 along Tadcaster Road on weekdays.

Number 13: Route revised to combine the 13 (York to Copmanthorpe) and 16 (York to Monks Cross) services, with alternative 13As calling at Straylands Grove/Woodlands Grove. Weekday timings from Copmanthorpe to be coordinated with Coastliner to provide 15-minute frequency.

The hourly 13A becomes the only Sunday service to Monks Cross, rather than the half-hourly 13 and 16.