A NEW law to help improve bus services in York and North Yorkshire is a step forward says the region's mayor.
Labour Mayor David Skaith says that the current system has been 'broken for too long'.
"Now we’ve got a chance to fix it and I intend to make sure we do," he said.
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His comments come as the Government says bus passengers across the UK – particularly the vulnerable – will be protected from sudden cuts to their services thanks to the Bus Services Bill, which has passed through parliament at its second reading.
Writing in The Press, Mr Skaith said: "Across York and North Yorkshire, people tell me the same thing: they want to use the bus, but it’s too unreliable, too infrequent, or simply doesn’t turn up. If you live in a rural village, a coastal town, or even some of our suburbs, chances are the bus is no longer a realistic option.
"In North Yorkshire, the number of miles driven by local buses has dropped by more than 50 per cent since 2010 - the worst fall anywhere in the North.
"This isn’t just a transport issue. It’s a quality-of-life issue. It affects how people get to work, to school, to hospital appointments - or how they see friends and family. It cuts people off from opportunity, and it hits the most isolated the hardest.
"That’s why I’ve made buses a top priority as mayor. They are the backbone of our public transport system - more flexible than trains, more affordable than cars, and absolutely essential for many of our residents.
"We’re developing a new Local Transport Plan to tackle the decline and set out a better future - but we’re also acting now. I’ve brought bus operators together to improve what passengers experience today: simpler ticketing, safer journeys, and better connections between our park and ride hubs in York."
The new law will mean that councils will identify socially necessary local services, and working with bus operators, put in place strict requirements before these services can be changed or cancelled.
Mr Skaith said: "We’re exploring all options for York and North Yorkshire. If a franchised network is right for our region, it would give us more control over routes, fares and timetables, and the power to create an affordable, integrated transport network that actually gets people where they need to be, when they need to be there. For example, allowing us to better connect bus and rail services for smoother connections.
"We would also be able to set consistent high standards, such as improved bus fleets – low or zero emission vehicles that offer passengers charging facilities, audio and visual announcements, and more space for wheelchairs and pushchairs.
"One area I’m especially focused on is cross-border travel. Roads don’t stop at regional boundaries, and too many people are let down when services don’t connect across council borders. That’s bad for everyday life - and bad for our regional economy."
"That’s why I signed the White Rose Agreement with the Mayors of West and South Yorkshire earlier this year. We’re working together to connect services across borders - with shared timetables, common standards, and a joined-up approach that puts passengers first. Hull and East Yorkshire are also set to join us, because they face the same issues and want to be part of the solution.
"This is what proper public transport should look like - simple, joined-up, and focused on the people who use it. Whether you live in York or Yeadon, Wigginton or Wakefield, Selby or Sheffield, you should be able to get where you need to go without relying on a car - and without stress."
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