York Hospital announces launch of new bus services

York Hospital has today announced that it will launch a new park and ride bus service directly to the hospital in partnership with First York, made possible thanks to funding from York Teaching Hospital Charity.

The new service will launch on Monday 29 April 2019. Running every 20 minutes, the new ‘York Hospital’ bus service will travel from Rawcliffe Bar Park & Ride from 06:00 until 20:10, Monday to Friday. Tickets will cost £3.20 for an adult return ticket, with reduced fares for NHS staff who have valid ID.

Brian Golding, Director of Estates & Facilities at York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, explained: “We know that parking at York Hospital can be difficult at peak times, especially for our own staff, many of who struggle to find a parking space on site.

“We have listened to this feedback and I am delighted that we are able to offer a partnership solution which will help reduce congestion around York Hospital by providing a viable alternative to parking at the hospital.

“Both staff and visitors will be able to take advantage of this frequent and fast service, which has been designed to operate at convenient times around staff shift patterns and peak visiting times.  In addition, a new dedicated bus stop is being created on the grounds of the hospital, meaning it’s only a few short steps from the bus into the main hospital reception.

Brian added: “York Teaching Hospital Charity is delighted to be able to provide the funding for this service. It is thanks to the generosity of donors and supporters that the hospital charity can make such a worthy investment which will help make a positive difference for patients every day.

“I look forward to receiving feedback on the new service from both staff and visitors.”

Individual car use and the congestion caused is a big contributor to air pollution in York and the hospital approached First York to help reduce the number of cars travelling daily to and from the hospital, particularly on Wigginton Road. Each bus can take up to 75 cars off the congested streets in York.

Marc Bichtemann, Managing Director of First York, said: “Congestion around York Hospital is a big challenge and so we’re very proud to be partnering with York Hospital as this is a positive step towards changing travel habits. By working together, we can all make a real impact on congestion and air quality, as this is all part of a virtuous circle; more people travelling by bus means fewer cars on the road, less congestion and, in turn, improved air quality. We look forward to officially launching the bus service next month.”

Cllr Andrew Waller, Executive Member for the Environment, said: “We’d like to thank York Hospital for providing the funding for this new service. Providing alternative ways for hospital visitors and patients to get to and from the hospital will help ease congestion and in turn reduce the amount of traffic in the city and help improve air quality.”

Cllr Peter Dew, Executive Member for Transport and Planning, said: “We hope that the introduction of the new service linking Rawcliffe Park & Ride with York Hospital will help ease congestion in the city, particularly on Wigginton Road. Over four million journeys are made every year on our existing Park & Ride routes, which provide free parking, low cost and frequent services. We hope this new route will prove just as popular.”

For more information on the York Park & Ride service visit www.firstgroup.com/york

18 March 2019