First York passengers on bus services 11 & 12 are set to benefit this month with a bus upgrade providing improved travelling comfort together with lower engine emissions.
The service upgrade will be complete by mid-October with the introduction of eight 5-year old ‘StreetLite’ single-deck vehicles that will replace older buses operating on service 11 (Ashley Park - York - Bishopthorpe) and service 12 (Monks Cross - York - Foxwood Lane).
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The re-furbished Wright StreetLites will offer passengers superior interior including leather seating and more pushchair space |
The upgrade represents an investment of £800,000 and will provide customers with a superior interior including leather seating and lighter environment with more space for customers with pushchairs.
The newer buses are fitted with Euro V engine technology and will be upgraded to Euro VI to meet the Clean Air Zone requirements in partnership with City of York Council & the Government’s Clean Bus Technology Fund.
A non re-furbished vehicle in service on route 11 |
This investment follows the positive change for customers last month on service 10 (Stamford Bridge - York - Poppleon) with new journeys added and the evening service taken on by First York commercially.
This latest announcement comes in advance of a significant investment in York which will see 21 new electric double decker buses introduced later this year.
Marc Bichtemann, Managing Director of First York, said,
“We are committed to providing safe, punctual and reliable bus travel for the people of York, so it’s important that we continue to invest in our bus services. With the support of our partners including City of York Council, this investment will also reduce bus emissions on the corridor and support the Clean Air Zone requirements. I’m sure our customers and the local community will welcome these improvements and encourage more people to switch to using bus services.”
Councillor Andy D’Agorne, City of York Council’s Executive Member for Transport, said: “We welcome this announcement from First York. Together with the introduction of 21 new electric double decker buses in York later this year, it’s another important step towards achieving our goal of creating a Clean Air Zone in the centre of York by reducing emissions and improving air quality.”