York residents are being urged to make full use of a local bus service after falling passenger numbers left the long-term future of one section of its route in jeopardy.
Service 12 runs between Foxwood, the city centre and Monks Cross. It’s the section between Alness Drive and Foxwood Lane which has seen a decline in passengers.
This summer, bus operator First York announced its intention to withdraw the service along that section of the route on the basis that it is no longer commercially viable.
However, City of York Council has stepped in to provide the funding required to continue operating the service in its entirety, but only up until 31 January, 2020.
This will allow time for a tendering process to be carried out in a bid to find the most cost-effective, long-term solution.
A decision about the future of the service will be made once that process is complete.
Cllr Andy D’Agorne, executive member for transport, said:
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It’s positive that the council has agreed to provide the funding needed to ensure that bus service 12 can continue to operate between Alness Drive and Foxwood Lane in the short-term.
But, as we work to identify a longer-term solution, it’s really important that local people make full use of the service.