York Bus Forum: an independent voice for bus users

Welcome to the website of York Bus Forum – the voice of bus users and potential users in and around York.

Our aim is “to get York people where they want to be, when they want to be there, in a manner that is reliable, comfortable and efficient”.

The Forum was formed following a public meeting held in April 2016 to protest about cuts in evening and Sunday bus services. Following a successful battle to retain evening and some other services the Forum was established as a city-wide bus users’ group. It also includes bus users from outside the York boundary who need/want to use public transport to access York for work, shopping, leisure, and study as well as to travel to the Hospital, the University or the major out of town shopping and leisure centres.

Now recognised as a Council stakeholder group, we hold regular meetings with Councillor Groups, with frequent briefings to transport leads. We work with the Council Transport Team and the Bus Operators (their “critical friend”) to get the best bus services and both attend our monthly meetings. These usually include presentations by expert speakers from the bus industry, transport authorities and academia to demonstrate best practice.

We have set up – with Council, Age Friendly York and York Disabled Rights Forum support, a bus stop survey open to all York’s bus users  – ‘Improving the bus stops of York’  https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/ImprovingBusStops

One of York’s new electric double-deck buses – now being used on several Park and Ride services

The National Bus Strategy – a Once in a Lifetime Opportunity!

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/bus-back-better

It includes the need for all transport authorities (including York) to produce a Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP). Guidance on producing the BSIP was issued by the Department for Transport on 17th May. York’s BSIP will feed into its next Local Transport Plan  – due in Autumn 2022.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/bus-service-improvement-plan

YBF issued a note setting out the implications for York (including the BSIP), which is being updated as more information becomes available

National Bus Strategy – Implications for York’s Bus Network_Updated 020621

Prior to our 18th May meeting (addressed by Julian Ridge – City of York Council’s Sustainable Transport Manager) we also issued a briefing note to members, seeking their questions

NBS Briefing for 18th May Meeting

A summary of the key issues raised was sent to Julian prior to this meeting

Key Questions for York BSIP Meeting 180521

The Forum was asked by Julian to provide its Five Priorities for the BSIP. These were finalised (with the full endorsement of the York Civic Trust) and submitted on 7th June:

YBF BSIP Priorities_Final 070621

The Council Transport Team have advised us that they found our BSIP priorities document extremely helpful. The Team is in the process of commissioning consultants to identify gaps in York’s bus network and to identify delay points for bus services, using funding from the Department for Transport. The results will form a key input to the BSIP.