Quarter of a million young people’s tickets sold as York’s bus improvement project brings far-reaching benefits

York’s Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) has reached an important milestone with over 250,000 reduced price bus tickets sold to families and young people.

The fare reductions, first introduced in September 2023 and extended to older teenagers in February 2024, are part of an on-going series of investments being made across the city’s network. Funded by government and managed by City of York Council, the project has also provided residents with improved facilities at bus shelters, and seen new real time information screens installed, with more to come during autumn.

Bus shelter improvements include:

• Installation or planned installation of 175 new or replacement real time information screens across the entire CYC area, which include an audio announcement facility.
• Refurbishment – painting, upgrading lighting & seating etc – of over 50 shelters. Work includes upgrades and 20 total replacements.
• A rolling programme to ensure facilities are in good condition.

The work also extends to kerbs and hardstanding, where over 30 bus stops without raised kerb and/or suitable hardstanding for wheelchair access will be improved. Locations have been prioritised by proximity to services (hospital/school/care homes) and current condition of stop.

To encourage greater bus use and support families during the cost of living crisis, fares currently available to residents and visitors are:

• Free fares for up to three accompanied children aged under 16 – the adult with them can be a fare paying passenger or using a concessionary pass (for example grandparents taking children out)
• £1 single fare for under 19s travelling by themselves – for example going to work or college
• £12 for an All York Young Person’s Weekly ticket, applicable to 5 to 18 year olds (up to their 19^th birthday). Covers all journeys within the City of York Council boundaries
• £2.50 for an All York Young Person’s Day ticket – extended to include 17 to 18 year olds (up to their 19^th birthday). Valid at all times of day on any bus in the boundaries of City of York Council

Since January, tens of thousands of young people’s tickets have been sold a month. The benefits of these tickets are being felt more widely than in a purely transport sense, with young people able to access education and employment as a result of the fare reductions.

Local Transport Minister Simon Lightwood MP, said “Buses are an affordable and sustainable travel option and it’s fantastic to see that over 250,000 reduced price tickets have been sold in York, helping families and young people get around for less. Our Better Buses Bill will help City of York Council continue transforming its bus network by giving passengers modern, clean and efficient services they can truly rely on.”

Eleanor Bennett, Student Experience Manager at York College, said “The subsidised fares have greatly benefited our students by making public transport more accessible and affordable. This initiative has eased the financial burden on families, allowing students to concentrate on their studies without the added stress of travel costs. Education should be accessible to all, and we strongly support this scheme in York.”

Keith McNally, Chair of York’s Enhanced Partnership delivery group, said; “Providing more than quarter of a million tickets to families and young people is a fantastic milestone for York’s BSIP. In addition, I look forward to being able to share some of the proposed improvements we are looking to bring to the city’s network, and we’ll be updating residents and commuters on these later this year”.

Councillor Kate Ravilious, Executive Member for Transport at City of York Council said; “It’s fantastic to see so many young people’s tickets being sold, along with the bus shelter improvements that give people greater confidence in using the bus. By reducing fares we’re enabling young people to be independent, giving them a chance to take up a summer job or simply go and meet their friends.

“I encourage both residents and visitors to use local bus services wherever possible.  Using buses helps sustain bus services, cuts congestion and enables more people to move around more easily”.

Find more about the fare reductions on the iTravel website:  www.itravelyork.info/