First York and City of York Council have today announced that fares for the Park and Ride network will rise at the end of the month.
The new prices have seen an increase of up to 2.5% for certain tickets, effective from 30 March.
The Park and Ride changes follow an annual review, and will see the following price adjustments.
- The concessionary fare (for older/disabled bus pass holders boarding at any P&R site) will increase to £1.40 from £1.30.
- A day return for adults will rise to £3.90 from £3.80.
- Ticket bundles for trips over five, 10 and 20 days will now make the return journey £3.50.
- A Park and Ride weekly ticket will rise by 40p, to £15.60 from £15.20.
- A child return fare for children travelling alone will increase by 5p, to £1.95 from £1.90.
- Three children aged 16 and under can still travel free with an adult.
Kayleigh Ingham, commercial director of First Bus for North and West Yorkshire, said that First Bus have worked to keep the fares affordable.
“Using the Park and Ride for leisure and work-related travel provides excellent value with free parking and we have continued to ensure that the average cost per trip of making multiple journeys remains low,” she said.
First York and City of York Council operate the Park and Ride network in partnership.
Cllr Kate Ravilious, transport lead at City of York Council, stated that the price hikes are required to continue the service for York.
She said: “This below inflation increase ensures Park and Ride services are able to cover costs and continue to provide an efficient and sustainable travel option for those travelling in and out of York.
Cllr Ravilious added that for those using the service to travel into central York for 2 hours or more, the Park and Ride is a more affordable option compared to city centre parking.
She said, “It continues to play an important role in reducing congestion in York with the fully electric fleet taking thousands of cars off central York’s roads every day”.
Kayleigh Ingham added, “We’re continuing to invest in the Park and Ride network to support travel and encourage visitors to leave their cars on the outskirts of the city.
“Travelling on our zero emission fleet cuts carbon emissions to create cleaner air and quieter streets as well as reducing traffic congestion, which is a major benefit for everyone.”
With more than 5,000 free car parking spaces and over 4.5 million journeys recorded last year, York Park and Ride is the biggest all-electric network in the country.
The news comes as York rail travellers have been hit by fare increases.
Train fares for England and Wales have risen by around 4.6% in increases which came in yesterday (Sunday), with railcards also becoming more expensive despite record low reliability of services.
It means an annual season train ticket from York to Leeds has risen by £133, from £2,896 to £3,029.
Public transport campaigners warned that the fare increase will “pile further misery on hard-pressed households,” as many commuters will have to pay hundreds of pounds more per year for travel.