York's Park and Ride passenger numbers have risen by almost 20 per cent in the last year, figures released by City of York Council's transport bosses reveal.

The Rawcliffe Bar line has seen the sharpest rise in passenger numbers with a 37.5 per cent increase, with the Askham Bar, Grimston Bar and Designer Line services also seeing rises of between 9 and 28 per cent in the last year.

The upward trend has been mirrored by a drop in numbers of cars parking in the city.

Stuart Dalgleish, the council's principal transport planner (research), explained: "We have seen vehicle numbers at city centre car parks decrease by approximately 5-9 per cent between 2001 and 2002.

"It appears that significant numbers of people who formerly drove into the city switched to Park and Ride last year."

Councillor Tracey Simpson-Laing, the council's executive member for transport, said: "The Park and Ride service has reduced the number of car journeys in York by approximately 1.5 million in the last year.

"Its contribution to easing congestion and pollution in the city continues to increase and with new sites being developed for Monks Cross and the A59, even more York residents will have convenient access to the Park and Ride service."

Park and Ride is part of the council's five year Local Transport Plan (LTP), which aims to develop an integrated transport system, reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality.