A network of Sunday and bank holiday bus services in the Yorkshire Dales has been saved after being threatened by financial problems.
The network of DalesBus services had been at risk because of budget pressure, increased operating costs and new legal requirements which had seen some operators withdraw services.
But most services, which have been arranged by the Dales and Bowlan
d Community Interest Company, will be retained for 2008 with some new links thanks to funding from North Yorkshire County Council in partnership with the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, Metro, the National Trust, the Friends of the Settle Carlisle Line, and the Yorkshire Dales Public Transport Users' Group.
Projects officer for Yorkshire Dales Public Transport Users' Group Paul Chattwood said: "The services provide a sustainable way of visiting the Yorkshire Dales, and are sure to be popular with walkers and sightseers alike. The new bus link to and from Ribblehead Station is a particularly welcome development, providing greatly improved access to Wensleydale."
The services will run on Sundays and bank holidays until September 7. Among the new services are an earlier bus from Leyburn up Wensleydale to Hawes and Ribblehead plus connections into Wensleydale from Ribblehead Station on the popular Leeds-Settle-Carlisle railway line.
Dalesbus Ramblers and the Friends of the Settle Carlisle Line have provided a programme of free guided walks utilising the DalesBus network. Full details of DalesBus services are on www.dalesbus.org, or from www.northyorks.gov.uk
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