First York Wins University Contract
Following a competitive tender process, First York has won the five year contract to operate the University of York bus services from August this year. The newly named UoY66 high frequency service will run from 2 August between York Railway Station, the city centre, the University and York Sport Village via Lakeside Way.
The contract includes the provision of the University’s free shuttle bus, Ub1, which will run every 30 minutes using an electric vehicle, as well as the late night clubbers’ bus and early morning University to Hospital service. A new service, UoY56, will complement the UoY66 serving the University and Kings Manor from a city centre loop. These services will be integrated into the First York local bus network.
What’s more First York has committed to running a premium UoY66 service with low emission Euro4 and Euro5 hybrids equipped with Wi-Fi and operating Cycle Alert on all its services. We’re thrilled that First York has seen the success of Cycle Alert’s implementation at the University of York and has committed to extending this success by fitting vehicle kits on its new contracted buses. It’s super-exciting to see Cycle Alert’s organic growth in York among its bus service providers and hauliers, and you can further extend the success by appealing to your local haulage operators here.
The drivers will be given a bespoke new uniform, part of a new brand that will be adopted across the fleet and information channels. We;ve also been assigned a new University duck (pictured)! The UoY66 service will provide nine buses per hour Monday to Saturday daytime and every 20 minutes on evenings and Sundays. These will be supported by additional Q-Buster buses if needed during weekdays. Heslington East transport hub will continue to be linked by bus to Tang Hall on a frequent basis. Students will be able to use a new 20-trip £17 smartcard ticket available on the ‘Yorkey Card’.
There will be a launch event on 2nd August to celebrate the new partnership, with free Cycle Alert tags and discounted smartcard tickets available on the day. For more information on how you can get involved contact [email protected]
If you don’t manage to catch us on the 2nd, fret not for we will be around for Freshers Week - again, laden with Cycle Alert goodies and giveaways - in October! Congratulations First York!
