Use of buses in York during the first 6 months of the financial year fell by 5%. It means the number of passenger journeys on ordinary “stage carriage” bus services could fall to below 10 million for the first year since 2002 (when Labour were last in control of the Council).
The slump is partially offset by an increase in Park and Ride passenger numbers which are forecast to top 3 million during the year.
The Council is rapidly losing the confidence of the bus industry in the wake of sustained unconstructive media criticism by some Councillors. Hostility to the ftr – which remains popular with users – and failure to embrace new technology opportunities, such as the debit card payment option, means that York no longer is top of the investment priorities of the bus companies.