A tourism tax could be used to transform transport in York including by funding a free city centre shuttle bus, a former council executive member has said.
Liberal Democrat Cllr Christian Vassie said a £2.80-a-night visitor levy could raise up to £5m-a-year which could also subsidise bus services from York to neighbouring villages and improve cycling routes.
Cllr Vassie told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that backers of the tax should be upfront about what they wanted to use the money for to help sell the idea.
The Wheldrake ward councillor previously held the culture and leisure and transport briefs on City of York Council’s executive.
He’s joined York and North Yorkshire Mayor David Skaith and York Central MP Rachael Maskell in backing a levy.
Coun Vassie said supporters of the levy were not being clear enough about what they want to use the money for which was leaving some sceptical.
He added his suggestion of a free city centre electric shuttle bus would help both residents and tourists get around York and to and from its attractions.
The council conducted a study into launching a shuttle bus service in 2023, estimating at the time it would cost around £350,000-a-year to run primarily for Blue Badge holders.
Cllr Vassie said a tourism tax should also help move away from indirectly charging visitors through parking fees, with buses offering an alternative way to get to York.
The councillor said: “Successive councils of all political parties rely on people gridlocking the city with their cars in order to fund public services.
“For residents, a shuttle bus means being able to get to public transport connections with their heavy shopping, or to allow people living north of York to get to villages south of York, to work or to visit friends.
“It means people with mobility problems can catch a bus into town and then have a service to get them to the theatre or the cinema or the pharmacist or bank.
“For tourists, it means being able to get from the station to their hotel with their heavy luggage.
“Why should only tourists who use cars pay to help fund services? Why should residents who have no alternative to using their cars be penalised? How do we fund giving rural residents viable alternatives to their cars?
“A tourism tax could play a vital part in making things better.
“I know there will also be calls to use some revenue to improve keeping the city centre clean, to collect refuse, and more.
“Let’s draw up a funded list and sell the idea to the city.”
The call comes as York council leader Cllr Claire Douglas and economy lead Cllr Pete Kilbane have both said work remains ongoing to try and introduce a levy.
But some hotels, the Hospitality Association York industry body and others have warned it could harm businesses already facing rising costs and put tourists off.
The Government has said it has no plans to give local authorities in England the power to introduce the charges.
A levy of 5 per cent on hotel bills is set to launch in Edinburgh in July and a £1-a-night charged has been enacted in Manchester using legal workarounds.
Charges have been introduced in Manchester and elsewhere by setting up accommodations business improvement districts (BIDS) who collect and spend the money.