New First York services begin

First says its new ‘Your bus 66’ service in York has got off to a ‘flying start’, attracting over 35,000 customers since its launch on 2 August. Provided in partnership with the University of York, the new premium service connects customers between York Railway Station, the city centre, the University and York Sport Village via Lakeside Way. Buses on the route have free Wi-Fi, ‘Cycle Alert’ safety devices and are driven by dedicated drivers in a bespoke new uniform.

Students can now buy a new 20-trip £17 smartcard ticket available on the ‘Yorkey Card’. The “Your bus family” network for University staff, students and visitors is expected to be complete later this month. From 28 September, there will be an increased frequency on ‘Your bus 66’ with nine buses an hour Monday to Saturday daytime. From the same date, it will also start operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week providing hourly services throughout the night. The same day will also see the launch of the University’s free shuttle bus, ub1, which will start running every 30 minutes using a state-of-the art electric vehicle, as well as the late night clubbers’ bus and an early morning University to Hospital service. A new service, ‘Your bus 56’, is to be launched to complement ‘Your bus 66’. This will link the University, Student Castle and Kings Manor with a city centre loop including Sainsbury’s, the railway station and all the main bus hubs before returning to the University.