YORK'S Park and Ride service has been given the thumbs up by a leading travel website, with more than 500 visitors rating it excellent or very good.

More than 90 percent of Tripadvisor users rating the service gave positive feedback, earning the facility a Tripadvisor Certificate of Excellence.

Councillor Peter Dew, City of York Council’s executive member for transport and planning, said: “Tripadvisor's ratings are based entirely on reviews posted by members of the public, so it’s really pleasing to see the city’s Park and Ride service scoring so highly and receiving such positive feedback.

“We work closely with the city’s bus service operators to look at how we can further enhance the experience of bus users in the city, but it’s clear that the low cost of Park and Ride, together with the introduction of cashless payments, improvements to city centre bus stops, discounts for larger groups and the fact that up to three children can travel free of charge with one fare-paying adult are a big hit with the vast majority of reviewers.”

Marc Bichtemann, managing director at First York, said: “We’re proud to be the operator of one of the most successful Park and Ride schemes in the country and it’s pleasing that visitors to the city value the service we provide. We strive to offer customers a high quality and reliable service through our strong and effective partnership with City of York Council.”