Transport News Advice and Comment

Thanks to a very positive intervention by our City of York Councillor, John Galvin, bus stop signs throughout Bishopthorpe are being replaced. Each installation includes a timetable box, though as yet few timetables have been posted. It seems that this is the responsibility of the operator, but it seems unfortunate that the City Council does not ensure the publication of timetables for services which it subsidises. This applies to evening and Sunday services in Bishopthorpe, as well as the C1 service.

Usefully, signs carry the information that the stops are for buses both to and from the City.

The provision of a sign on Acaster Lane opposite the Tennis & Bowling Clubs is under consideration, but location is difficult because of  road safety hazards. 

Some work has also been  done to improve the scruffy half-shelter on Keble Park North. Sadly, the small improvements have already been spoiled by a vandal who has taken some trouble to scratch the glass.

Passengers alighting at the Acaster Lane/Keble Park stop should especially benefit from the visibility of the new sign. It is hoped that this will eliminate the fierce braking commonly experienced at this point when drivers only see the sign at the last moment. It must also increase the chance of being deposited on the hard pavement instead of in the wet grass.

People entitled to concessionary bus passes will receive new ones valid from April 2008.

The new passes will be valid throughout England from 9-30 a.m. on weekdays and all day on Saturdays and Sundays.

Local councils are free to provide extra privileges for their reisdents if they so wish. Until now, York & North Yorkshire have permitted passes to be used from 9-00. York City Council has not ye decided whether to continues this extra concession.

Scotland and Wales have separate schemes, and I am unaware whether there is to be any provision for use of English passes in those areas. At present, you should assume that the pass will be for England only. 

A lot of people have now had letters explaining the scheme. In some cases, they have been asked to provide a new photograph. If this is a problem, it is still possible to have a photograph taken free of charge at the council offices in Exhibition Square.