SUBSIDISED bus services in the East Riding, including some that run to and from York, could be cut or scaled back under budget-cutting proposals.

East Riding of Yorkshire Council says it would save about £600,000 if the proposals went ahead.

The plans will go before East Riding Council's cabinet on June 28, and if they are approved, a public consultation would get underway on June 29, lasting eight weeks. This will give residents an opportunity to share their views on the proposed new network of supported bus services, to start from April 1 2017.

East Riding of Yorkshire Council currently subsidises 90 bus services. Of these, 59 contracts would cease if the proposals get the go-ahead, 18 of which are for full services and 41 of which are for individual journeys, or for evening or Sunday journeys.

Among the services that would be affected by the proposals are:

  • The 18A, operated by East Yorkshire Motor Services (EYMS) , which runs between York and Holme-on-Spalding Moor. This service could cease completely under the proposals.
  • A number of journeys on the EYMS-operated 45/46 service, which runs between York and Bridlington, would also be affected.
  • EYMS services 195/ X36, which travel between York and Pocklington, would have fewer journeys.
  • The 196, which travels between Aughton and York, and the 199, which runs between Pocklington and Huggate, would also have fewer journeys. Both of these services are run by EYMS.

It is possible that EYMS could retain these services or journeys on a commercial basis.

In his report to the council's cabinet, Nigel Leighton, the council's director of environment and neighbourhood services, says: "Extensive and detailed research to establish a robust and current understanding of the strategic transport needs of East Riding’s local communities has been undertaken prior to the development of the preferred proposal for the future of bus service provision in 2017 and 2018.

"The evidence from this research has been combined with a balanced approach to an assessment of the performance, cost, journey purpose, alternative service proximity and environmental impact of the current supported bus network to ensure that a proposal could be developed which is balanced and fair, with regard to the funding available to the council.

The report adds: "A wide range of mitigation measures are planned should the proposals be brought into effect, including use of alternative scheduled bus services and demand responsive travel offered by community transport groups. In addition, the council will work to strengthen further the provision of services by community transport groups and offer personal journey planning to residents affected by the proposals."