Council steps in to save the number 12/12A bus in York

City of York Council has taken steps to help save a key bus route in York for Heworth and Woodthorpe.

Like many bus networks across the country, York has faced unprecedented challenges in recent years.

In December last year, First York – who currently runs the 12/12A bus service, submitted an application to the Traffic Commissioner to withdraw the service from 22 January. They said this was because of increased operating costs, a shortage of available drivers and less people using the bus.

The service runs approximately every half hour between Foxwood, Woodthorpe and York city centre, and approximately every hour between the city centre, Heworth and Monks Cross. The service operates on Mondays to Saturdays and is the only local bus route serving key parts of Heworth and Woodthorpe.

A spokesperson for City of York Council, said: “Given the need to ensure the service was safeguarded before the end of January, we’ve taken swift steps to carry out a short-notice tender exercise to seek a replacement service between 23 January and 31 March 2023. This tender process has now concluded, and the award will be announced shortly.”

The on-going operation of the service will be covered using part of the council’s 2022/23 Bus Improvement Service Fund (BSIP) revenue funding provided by Department for Transport.

A tender for a longer-term replacement service will take place with the objective of having a full contract in place by 31 March 2023.

This comes as the council has taken further steps to help stabilise York’s bus network and support its future growth in the face of unprecedented challenges.

But this comes with a stark warning that if government funding is not extended or bus usage doesn’t increase – further services may be impacted.

Whilst the government has provided financial support to the bus industry in response to Covid, this support is currently set to end at the end March 2023.

The bus industry pre covid in York was worth £24 million pounds and the council funds approximately £0.72 million of this through its own funding subsidising a number of services every year. 

However, as a result of covid, the industry has shrunk from the pre covid levels with currently 20 per cent fewer passengers. This is compounded by the rise in operating costs for both diesel and electric buses and a national driver shortage.

This funding has enabled the 12, 13 and 412 services to be safeguarded in the short term, as well as the recommissioning of the Poppleton Park and Ride Site for Easter next year.