Route changes by First following bus delays

Residents in Westfield Ward and further afield have been concerned by the recent changes to bus routes in the area. This had resulted in bunching of the number 4 , where three buses would come at once in between long waits on what had previously been a much more reliable service. Cllr Andrew Waller met with the Managing Director of First, Ben Gilligan on 27th August to raise these concerns at a one to one meeting.

Changes have now been announced which will take effect from 22nd November and the number 4 will run a shorter route from Clifford Street to Acomb rather than the longer route which had been introduced in the summer to Tang Hall. Residents were able to discuss these changes with Stuart Fillingham Operations Manager of First York at last tonight’s (7th October) Westfield Ward Committee held at 7pm at the Gateway Centre, Front Street. Mr Fillingham explained that First accepted that they had got the timetable wrong in August and apologised to residents on behalf of the company. Recently an additional bus had been put onto the number 4 route to help with reliability, and he had himself driven a number 4 bus earlier in the day to check that it was having a positive impact.

Residents also raised some issues with the morning services of the number 1 route which we are pressing First York to explain how the changes to that route will improve reliability.

Changes announced by First (from November 22nd)

Service 1 – Chapelfields – Wigginton

Minor timetable changes to some journeys to improve reliability. The service will operate every 12 minutes between peak times Monday – Friday.

Service 4 – Acomb to York City Centre

The service will run as current route from Acomb to Rougier Street, it will then run via Micklegate, Skeldergate, Skeldergate Bridge, and Tower Street to Clifford Street. Clifford Street will be the starting point for all Acomb bound services, operating via Nessgate, Ouse Bridge, then as current 4 route to Acomb. The service will operate every 10 minutes during the day Monday – Saturday, every 20 minutes on a Sunday, and every 30 minutes on an evening.

Service 6 – Clifton Moor – Osbaldwick – University

The service will run as current route from Clifton Moor to Theatre Royal, it will then continue via Lendal Bridge, Rougier Street to Osbaldwick, Tang Hall and University via the current 4 route. The service will operate every 15 minutes during the day Monday – Saturday, every 30 minutes on a Sunday, and every 30 minutes on an evening