Subsidy cut means axe for dozens of buses

The council announced last week that it will be cutting part of its £6.5m public transport budget as part of austerity measures to help to claw back £37m in the next financial year and £69m by 2015.

A spokeswoman denied that the £600,000 reduction in subsidies would mean bus routes would necessarily be axed.

But Arriva Yorkshire has now released a list of the services that are to be withdrawn from April 16, with routes in and around Selby, particularly between the town and York, seriously affected.

Selby District Council’s leader, Coun Mark Crane, said: “Clearly these cuts will impact on some people’s journey to work. It is concerning that Selby appears to be taking the brunt of the cuts.

“I do recognise that the county council has to make budget reductions but I urge it to take a closer look at these services and what effect this will have on Selby.”

Arriva says the £600,000 cut in subsidies has had a knock-on effect on other commercially-run routes in North Yorkshire. It has had to reduce staffing levels in its Selby depot by 12, but this would be achieved by natural wastage.

Managing director Nigel Featham said: “Bus services are a vital part of the economic and social life of North Yorkshire and it is disappointing that the county council has decided to cut journeys in order to ease pressures on its budget. Sadly, as well as inconveniencing bus users this has also meant a reduction in staffing levels at Selby depot.”

The county council’s assistant director of integrated passenger transport, Richard Owens, said: “There were options for Arriva, if they felt these journeys were worth keeping they could have done that commercially. They have decided they are not and have withdrawn them.”