A NEW hospital bus service that will launch at the end of the month has been unveiled.

York Hospital announced last month that a new Park&Ride bus service, which will travel directly to the hospital in partnership with First York, had been made possible thanks to funding from York Teaching Hospital Charity.

The new service will launch on Monday, April 29.

It will travel from Rawcliffe Bar Park&Ride from 6am until 8.10pm, Monday to Friday.

Tickets will cost £3.20 for an adult return ticket, with reduced fares for NHS staff who have valid ID.

Brian Golding, director of estates and facilities at York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We know that parking at York Hospital can be difficult at peak times, especially for our own staff, many of who struggle to find a parking space on site.

“We have listened to this feedback and I am delighted that we are able to offer a partnership solution which will help reduce congestion around York Hospital by providing a viable alternative to parking at the hospital.

“Both staff and visitors will be able to take advantage of this frequent and fast service, which has been designed to operate at convenient times around staff shift patterns and peak visiting times. In addition, a new dedicated bus stop is being created on the grounds of the hospital, meaning it’s only a few short steps from the bus into the main hospital reception. I look forward to receiving feedback on the new service from both staff and visitors.”

Individual car use and the congestion is a big contributor to air pollution in York and the hospital approached First York to help reduce the number of cars travelling daily to and from the hospital, particularly in Wigginton Road. Each bus can take up to 75 cars off the congested streets in York.