City of York Council has welcomed a near-£1m investment by bus operator Yorkshire Coastliner in new vehicles - and the firm's new integrated tickets tie-up with rail operator GNER.

Councillor Dave Merrett, the council's executive member for planning and transport, said, "I am very pleased to see both Yorkshire Coastliner's continued investment in new high quality vehicles and this excellent initiative to encourage visits to local attractions by public transport through integrated ticketing.

"I hope that many visitors will use this initiative in future as an alternative to using the car."

Yorkshire Coastliner Ltd unveiled the £950,000 investment earlier this week.

In response to sustained growth in the demand for high quality bus travel and the need to provide greater seating capacity between Leeds, York and the coastal towns of Whitby, Scarborough, Bridlington and Filey, the Malton-based bus operator has purchased three new 'customer-friendly', low floor, easy access 74-seater Volvo double deck buses together with four new Volvo single deck buses to augment its 20-vehicle fleet. These seven buses provide a total new investment of £950,000 in bus services between Leeds and the coast.

The three Volvo B7 double deckers, costing over £135,000 each, are fitted with a new style of body, the "Plaxton President". Although new to YC, these high quality low floor double deckers have been extensively and successfully trialled by parent Company Blazefield Holdings on routes in Lancashire and London.

The distinguishing 'customer-friendly' features of the new double deckers, and YC's existing single deckers are:

- Low entrances without front internal steps and a kneeling facility to lower the entrance to kerb height. - Designated areas for buggies and wheelchairs and full accessibility for those with mobility difficulties. - Individual, wider, more comfortable seating and softer, yet brighter interiors with improved lighting. - Larger, more informative destination displays and CCTV equipment, with internal and external digital cameras for the comfort and security of customers and staff.

Blazefield Group Chairman Giles Fearnley explained; "We are increasing the number of high quality double deckers in our Coastliner fleet, which now has an average age of only two years, to provide for the continuing growth of customer numbers.

"We are also delighted to be co-operating with rail company GNER in a through ticketing facility which permits a transfer from GNER trains at York Station onto Coastliner buses for onward journeys to Castle Howard, Eden Camp, Flamingoland, Pickering and Whitby".

At the time of booking their rail ticket, passengers can book through tickets to complete their onward journey from York station with Yorkshire Coastliner. Fares, added to the cost of the rail fare, are £7 return for adults and £3.50 for children. Yorkshire Coastliner services leave from the front of the railway station.

Jonathan Metcalfe, GNER Chief Operating Officer said: "We are pleased to be able to offer through fares with Yorkshire Coastliner to these popular destinations and make it simple for passengers to complete their journeys."

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