Wheels in motion for Yorkshire Dales transport revolution

THE biggest transport revolution in the Yorkshire Dales in living memory goes live this week, with a new pilot scheme launched in North Yorkshire.

The Dales Integrated Transport Alliance (DITA), which recently scooped £1.1m in government funding, has announced it is launching in Nidderdale tomorrow before being rolled out across Wensleydale later this year.

The group, which is made up of existing transport providers and community groups, said the announcement is paving the way for plans to create seven local transport hubs across the Yorkshire Dales, monitored by a central IT scheduling system.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Plans to equip passengers with smart tickets similar to London’s Oyster cards in order to travel on public transport around the national park, are also close to coming to fruition with the group aiming to equip community transport schemes such as the Little White Bus with the necessary technology in the coming months.

Julian Smith, the Conservative MP for Skipton and Ripon, has welcomed the announcement, saying: “The Dales Integrated Transport Alliance is an excellent initiative bringing together companies, organisations and individuals who have seen that together they can help improve community transport across the Dales, Nidderdale and Ripon.

“I have congratulated those involved in their efforts so far and the potential their scheme unlocks provides many opportunities for the future.

“Over the past year, I have had letters and meetings with many constituents who are frustrated by the lack of access to public transport where they live to get them to work, school or college.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“I hope this investment helps to reduce some of these problems and starts to reconnect our rural communities.”

The first new services under the scheme, has seen the group set up an evening route on the number 24 bus between Pateley Bridge and Harrogate on Friday and Saturday nights.

A similar scheme will follow in the coming weeks in Wensleydale, then Craven, while the group is currently looking at providing feeder routes through communal minibuses and car share schemes.

An area-wide survey has also been commissioned to ascertain transport issues across the Dales.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Chair of DITA, Helen Flynn, said the announcement marks the end of a “whirlwind” few months for the group.

“People are starting to realise the scale of this and we have had a lot of supporters coming out of the woodwork,” she said.

“Our volunteers have delivered 6,000 leaflets just in Nidderdale.

“There has been a lot of excitement from young people about this as well - particularly teenagers.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“This is just the start of a process where we hope to collect valuable data from the public about the services they need and support.

“The whole point of DITA is to be able to develop sustainable transport services that will last and will not be at the risk of being withdrawn.

“It’s all part of helping to boost economies and helping to slim down the use of private cars wherever possible to cut down on emissions.”

DITA, which was set up after North Yorkshire County Council announced it was slashing its transport budget by 10 per cent, secured the £1.1m grant from the Department for Transport’s local sustainable transport fund in July.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Of the 73 bids submitted across the whole of the country in April, only 34 – one of which was DITA – were awarded the full amount they bid for.

The Transport Select Committee review has revealed that cuts to rural, evening and weekend services are damaging the ability of many people, especially the elderly, young or disabled, to get jobs or improve their education.

The cross-party committee has also issued a warning of even deeper cuts in bus services next year, as local authorities struggle with smaller budgets.