‘This is why we’ve ditched the York Hospital bus’ – NHS trust

The NHS trust behind the York Hospital bus has explained why it has withdrawn funding for the service.

We reported yesterday (Thursday) that the service, which runs between Rawcliffe Bar Park & Ride and the hospital, will finish on 31 March.

Local councillors say that will “have a major impact” on staff, patients and visitors. They are campaigning for it to be reinstated.

Although operated by First York, it is funded by York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

And the trust’s decision to not fund the service from 1 April has led to it being withdrawn.

Today, a trust spokesperson told YorkMix why.

“We entered this arrangement in partnership with First York, with a view to testing a park and ride option to help people with transport to the hospital.

“Unfortunately, passenger numbers were decimated during the Covid pandemic and have never recovered.

“Furthermore, the significant increase in costs mean that the service is simply no longer viable for the trust going forward, as we are not funded to provide public transport.

“We therefore have taken the difficult decision not to renew our current contract when it expires at the end of the month.

“We remain committed to offering a range of travel concessions and promoting alternatives to using a car for all users to the hospital, and we are working with bus companies to look at a range of options, particularly those which may benefit a broader range of people rather than the current single park and ride route.”

Rawcliffe Lib Dem councillors have set up a petition calling on the service to be retained. You can find it here.