Cut-down park bus service unveiled

The North York Moors National Park Authority's Moorsbus service, a network of buses that links the main towns and cities in the region with the attractions and villages of the national park, has trimmed its 18 previous routes, some of which were being duplicated by other bus operators and not properly used.

The savings have been re-invested in the service and the park authority says the new routes will continue to visit all villages and towns previously served.

The authority's transport project officer Janet Armstrong said yesterday: "The new-look network is not only easier to use but – with less duplication of routes – we will also reduce our bus miles by around 69,000 per year which is good news for the environment.

"It's a great way to keep congestion and pollution down. Last year saw a passenger increase of 20 per cent and we'd like even more people to make use of the service."

The changes have been introduced following a review of the service carried out with passengers and staff last year.

The new changes are coming into place on Sunday March 28 and feature a simplified Moorsbus timetable.

Long distance routes from places such as York, Hull, Scarborough, Middlesbrough – including stops at Linthorpe Village, Acklam, Coulby Newham, Marton and Nunthorpe – and Darlington are still running alongside four themed routes inside the North York Moors.

The themed routes comprise the Western Explorer – which covers the southwest corner including Hawnby, Osmotherley, Rievaulx and Helmsley; the Moorland Discovery – covering the central moorland; the Rosedale Rambler – covering Rosedale, Hutton-le-Hole and Cropton; and the Dalby Forester – running from Scarborough to Pickering with free entry to Dalby Forest.