Campaigners have launched a petition to save a York bus route which they fear is in danger of being axed.
But operator First York says discussions with the council are continuing and no decisions on service withdrawals have been made.
The service that campaigners say is at risk is the First York Number 11. The suggestion is that it would no longer continue from the edge of the city centre into Bishopthorpe.
The petition claims that from October, changes would see the Number 11 loop from town to South Bank then loop back again missing out the village on the outskirts of the city.
Emma Davis, who started the online petition, said: “This will affect elderly/disabled people who do not drive and who rely on the bus service to get them to and from hospital appointments and social activities.
“It will affect children who use the bus to get to and from school, and children who are learning to be independent and travelling with friends on the bus to town and back.
“It will affect all the workers at Brunswick who don’t need to rely on others to give them lifts and they catch the bus to and from work independently (this is so important).
“It will affect those of us who rely on the bus to get to and from work.”
Volunteers have been posting copies of a paper petition, started by Carole Green, through letterboxes too.
‘Discussions continuing’
The Bus Recovery Grant, to help operators deal with the effects of the covid pandemic has been extended another six month and a review to assess the viability of all routes in the York area is due to be completed by October.
The petition has attracted 262 signatures online as of Monday morning.
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YorkMix asked for a statement from First York and it says:
“As a condition of transitional government arrangements, bus operators and Local Authorities were required by the Department for Transport to undertake a full network review to assess the viability of all routes and submit agreed changes to Traffic Commissioners in time for these to be implemented in October, when funding was due to end.
“We have a strong record of partnership working with City of York Council and engaged with them early on in this process to allow time to adjust or propose alternative arrangements where necessary.
“We welcome the [6 month] extension to the Bus Recovery Grant, as helpful support in meeting our customers’ needs over the short term.
“Our discussions with the council are continuing and no withdrawal of services has yet been decided.”
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