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'''York Pullman''' is a bus operating company based in [[Rufforth]], [[England]]. The first company to use the Pullman name was founded in 1926 by Norman Pearce and Hartas Foxton. It operated from three depots in [[York]] and used a livery of maroon and cream similar to that used on [[Pullman train (UK)|Pullman trains]]. After several decades of steady expansion, the company was sold to Reynard Coaches in 1985, and following [[bus deregulation]] it introduced competing services in [[Harrogate]], [[Tadcaster]] and York. Kingston-upon-Hull City Transport acquired the company in 1990, but sold it to Durham Travel Services (DTS) in 1993. The Pullman name was retained through every sale but finally disappeared in 2000 when DTS sold its Yorkshire operations to [[FirstGroup]]. |
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In 2007 Rufforth-based K&J Logistics, a haulage firm with a bus operating division formed in 2001 by former York Pullman employee Tom James, revived the name for use on its excursion program and open-top tour of York. It later moved into scheduled service bus operation and school bus provision, and the name is now used on the company's fleet of 50 buses. Services operated included a subsidised service to the [[University of York]], the introduction of which prompted a competitive response from [[First York]], which also serves the University. In February 2012 the scheduled services were sold to [[Transdev York]] along with 17 vehicles. |
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==History== |
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===Original company (1926–2000)=== |
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{{Infobox Bus transit |
{{Infobox Bus transit |
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| name = York |
| name = First York |
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| logo = |
| logo = FirstGroup.svg |
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| logo_size = 150px |
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| image = York Pullman preserved bus 64, 1954 AEC Regent III Roe body JDN 668.jpg |
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| image = First York 40573 YJ51 RKV.jpg |
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| image_size = 250px |
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| image_caption = Volvo B6BLE outside [[York railway station]] on service 1 |
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| founded = 1926 |
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| company_slogan = |
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| parent = [[FirstGroup]] |
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| founded = |
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| parent = Kingston-upon-Hull City Transport (1990–93)<br/> Durham Travel Services (1993–2000) |
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| headquarters = Tanner Row, [[York]]<br>James St, [[York]] (Depot) |
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| locale = |
| locale = |
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| service_area = [[York]] |
| service_area = [[York]] |
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| service_type = [[ |
| service_type = [[Bus]] |
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| alliance = |
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| routes = Routes Include [[York Park and Ride]] |
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| destinations = |
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| stops = |
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| hubs = |
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| stations = |
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| lounge = |
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| fleet = |
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| ridership = |
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| fuel_type = |
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| operator = [[FirstGroup]] |
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| ceo = |
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| leader_type = |
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| leader = |
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| website = [http://www.firstgroup.com/ukbus/york www.firstgroup.com] |
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}} |
}} |
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'''First York''' is the largest bus operator in [[York]], [[England]]. It is part of [[First Group]], a major bus and train operator with a turnover of nearly £2.5 billion a year and 62,000 employees across the UK and North America.<ref>Stuart Martin, Bill Potter and David Donati (eds.), "2005 First Bus Handbook", page 5. British Bus Publishing, 2005</ref> The York depot is in James Street, and maintains a fleet of 110 buses. |
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York Pullman was founded in 1926 as a partnership between Norman Pearce, who for the preceding six years had operated a service between York and [[Stamford Bridge, East Riding of Yorkshire|Stamford Bridge]], and Hartas Foxton. Its name and livery of maroon, cream and yellow was derived from the luxury [[Pullman train (UK)|Pullman train]] carriages in use at the time.<ref name=History>{{cite web |url=http://www.yorkpullmanbus.co.uk/history-of-york-pullman.htm |title=History of York Pullman |publisher=York Pullman |accessdate=14 September 2011}}</ref> |
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==Fleet== |
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In January 1930 Pearce left the company and Foxton became its sole owner, a position he retained until his death thirty years later.<ref name="Buses 627">{{cite journal |last=Millar |first=Alan |title=K&J revives York Pullman identity to expand its local market |journal=[[Buses Magazine|Buses]] |publisher=[[Ian Allan Publishing]] |issue=672 |date=June 2007 |page=8}}</ref> In 1938 Pullman opened a new depot in York's Navigation Road to complement its three existing sites, which were no longer large enough to hold the company's fleet. One of these garages, Piccadilly in York, was used by the government during [[World War II]]. In 1951 the company moved its headquarters to Bootham Tower.<ref name=History /> |
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A breakdown of the buses operated by First York is as follows: |
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*21 [[Volvo B7L]]/[[Wright Eclipse]] - B41F |
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Pullman continued to expand, and by the 1970s was carrying over one million passengers each year.<ref name=History /> In 1974 its fleet had increased to 30 vehicles and it was the largest operator of tours and excursions in York, with a small number of local bus services also operated. Coach services were deregulated in October 1980; Pullman introduced a service between York and [[London]] in conjunction with [[Epsom Coaches]], but this proved unsuccessful and was quickly withdrawn. The Foxton family, which had retained control of the firm after Hartas Foxton's death in 1960, sold York Pullman to Reynard Coaches in January 1985.<ref name="Buses 627" /> |
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*5 Volvo B6BLE /[[Wright Crusader 2]] - B38F |
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*12 [[Volvo B7TL]]/[[Alexander ALX400]] - H49/27F |
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*35 [[Volvo B7RLE]]/[[Wright Eclipse Urban]] - B43/44F |
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*15 [[Mercedes-Benz Citaro]] - O530 CITARO-G - AB51D |
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*12 [[Volvo B9TL]]/[[Wright Eclipse Gemini]] |
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2001 and 2002 were significant years, for they marked the arrival of the B7Ls, B6BLEs, B7TLs and Optare Solos - 98 new vehicles in the space of a two year period represented significant investment in the First York fleet. Many buses replaced over the years have been DAF SB220s, both step-entrance and low floor Dennis Darts, Leyland Olympians, Leyland Leopards, Leyland Nationals, Leyland Atlanteans, Scania L113s, Mercedes-Benz 709Ds. For a short while during 2006 First York operated Dennis Tridents from Somerset and also three Optare Solos before Veolia took over a few routes. A number of buses were cascaded to other First companies as newer buses arrived in 2008. The 9 [[Wright Eclipse Fusion]] bendibuses have also left the fleet and now operate in Leeds & Somerset. On 26 January 2009, 15 articulated Mercedes-Benz Citaros were introduced to First York's fleet. |
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The newly enlarged company, now owned by John and David Marsh, was renamed to Reynard Pullman. Following the [[bus deregulation in Great Britain|deregulation of bus services]] in October 1986, new services were introduced in competition with established operators. By 1988 the fleet stood at 47 vehicles, the majority of which were used on scheduled services in [[Harrogate]], [[Tadcaster]] and York, in the latter case in competition with York City & District. The expansion proved short-lived, with the York Pullman name and 20 coaches sold to municipal operator [[Kingston-upon-Hull City Transport]] (KHCT) in February 1990. Later in the same year Reynard itself was acquired by [[Yorkshire Rider]], which also took over York City & District to end competition in York.<ref name="Buses 627" /> |
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==Services== |
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KHCT began to face increased competition on its core network in the 1990s, and in 1993 it was decided to privatise the company. In readiness for this coaching activities were reduced, and York Pullman was sold to [[Durham Travel Services]] (DTS) early in the year. DTS expanded its operations to include school buses, open-top tours and contracted bus services, but in February 2000 sold its York operations to [[FirstGroup]], who had earlier acquired Yorkshire Rider and were the dominant operator in the city. The York Pullman name was abandoned, and the office at Bootham Tower closed in October 2002, breaking the last link with the original company. A small proportion of Pullman's older vehicles have entered [[bus preservation in the United Kingdom|preservation]].<ref name="Buses 627" /> |
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[[Image:Volvo bus in First Group livery.jpg|thumb|right|A Wright Crusader 2 on route 12]] |
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There are thirteen colour-coded Overground routes (numbers 1-13) which operate at weekday frequencies of between eight and thirty minutes, and a limited number of other services with less intensive frequencies.<ref>[http://www.firstgroup.com/ukbus/yorkhumber/york/home/ First York website] - 6th April 2006</ref> |
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First York also operates the city's Park & Ride network |
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===Revival (2007–present)=== |
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{{Infobox Bus transit |
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| name = York Pullman (2007–present) |
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| logo = |
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| image = York Pullman 278 RXI 3338.jpg |
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| image_size = |
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| image_caption = |
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| founded = 2007 |
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| defunct = |
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| headquarters = [[York]] |
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| parent = K&J Logistics |
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| locale = |
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| service_area = Private Hire |
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| service_type = [[Coach (vehicle)|Coaches]] |
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| destinations = Private Hire |
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| fleet = 50 vehicles |
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}} |
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Between 27 February 2007 and 26 April 2009, First York operated a service linking the city with [[Leeds Bradford Airport]]. This was branded as service 120 ''York Aircoach/Airlink''. It was based on a model and brand successfully used by [[Aircoach]], a sister FirstGroup company operating to and from [[Dublin Airport]].<ref name=fglta>{{cite web | url = http://www.firstgroup.com/corporate/our_company/aircoach.php | title = Aircoach | publisher = FirstGroup | accessdate = 2008-05-20}}</ref> 4 Volvo B10M-62 coaches previously operated by First Coaches and First Trafford Park were acquired for this operation. The coaches were fleet numbered 20461-4 registered X191-4HFB. All wore First Excel coach branding with additional "York Aircoach" branding applied. The service was later rebranded as "York Airlink 787" to recognise that coaches were replaced by standard fleet single deckers on the route. This airport route was withdrawn on 26 April 2009 due to low patronage. |
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[[K&J Logistics]], a haulage firm which also operated a small number of buses, was formed in 2001 with a depot in [[Rufforth]]. Its managing director, Tom James, had worked for York Pullman during the 1980s. In 2007 the former Pullman office at Bootham Tower became available for lease. K&J moved into the office and decided to revive the Pullman name, which was no longer registered by an existing company. K&J also reopened the former booking office in York's Exhibition Square and acquired the original company's telephone number. Ten vehicles were initially painted into Pullman livery, and were first used in April 2007.<ref name="Buses 627" /> |
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Unlike First companies in many other cities the usage of route branding is somewhat limited on the York fleet. Apart from the heavily branded Park and Ride vehicles and the ftr's on route 4, few if any other vehicles carry route branding. In the past route branding existed on a number of routes including services 1, 4, 5, 6, 10, 12 and York Aircoaches. |
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To coincide with the reintroduction of the name, the company introduced a sightseeing tour of York using [[open-top bus]]es in addition to coach hire and excursion work.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/sport/1371229.pullman_offers_celebration_bus/ |title=Pullman offers celebration bus |work=[[The Press (York)|York Press]] |date=2 May 2007}}</ref> In October 2009 Pullman's school bus services to [[Fulford School]] was used by City of York Council to trial a texting service designed to prevent bullying on school buses.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/4713466.School_pupils_in_York_to_take_part_in_ground_breaking_texting_scheme_to_try_and_prevent_bullying_on_school_buses/ |title=School pupils in York to take part in ground-breaking texting scheme to try to prevent bullying on school buses |work=York Press |date=31 October 2009}}</ref> |
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===Routes=== |
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In April 2009 it was reported that a [[Durham County Council]] employee, Richard Startup, had worked for York Pullman as a consultant, leading to a complaint from an unnamed rival operator.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-east-news/todays-news/2009/04/20/contract-award-is-to-be-investigated-61634-23421649/ |last=McKay |first=Neil |title=Contract award is to be investigated |work=[[The Journal (newspaper)|The Journal]] |location=[[Newcastle-upon-Tyne]] |date=20 April 2009}}</ref> Startup later became the company's commercial manager.<ref name=Pocklington>{{cite news |url=http://www.pocklingtonpost.co.uk/news/local/replacement_bus_delight_1_3756488 |title=Replacement bus delight |work=[[Pocklington Post]] |date=8 September 2011}}</ref> |
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First in York services are as follows |
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{| class="wikitable" |
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In late September 2010 a new route between York city centre and the two campuses used by the [[University of York]] was introduced. Branded as Unibus, the service was subsidised by the University, who stated that First York had declined to extend its existing service 4 to serve the newly-opened campus at [[Heslington East]]. In response to the new route's introduction First extended route 4 to Heslington East in competition with Pullman's route and reduced its fares on the route.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/8428212.University_of_York_backs_new_bus_funding/?action=complain&cid=8821001 |last=Laycock |first=Mike |title=University of York backs new bus funding |work=York Press |date=2 October 2010}}</ref> |
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|----- bgcolor=#f9f9f9 |
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!Route number |
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!Destination |
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!Notes & Alterative Services (Including other Companys) |
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A York Pullman bus became stuck in a ditch while operating route 36 in [[Melbourne, East Riding of Yorkshire|Melbourne]] in October 2010.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.pocklingtonpost.co.uk/news/local/bus_lands_in_village_ditch_service_blocks_carriageway_after_becoming_stuck_1_2366031 |title=Bus lands in village ditch |work=Pocklington Post |date=22 October 2010}}</ref> In April 2011 another vehicle caught fire after its engine overheated while working a service to [[Manor C of E School]] on the [[A1237 road]] in April 2011, but pupils were quickly evacuated by the driver and there were no injuries.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/8963056.Pupils_flee_burning_school_bus_on_York_ring_road/ |title=Driver praised for leading pupils to safety during school bus engine fire |work=York Press |date=9 April 2011}}</ref> The company stepped in to replace two journeys withdrawn by [[East Yorkshire Motor Services]] on their route 195 in September 2011, taking over their operation as route X36 on a short-term contract.<ref name=Pocklington /><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/9231593.Under_threat_village_bus_route_reprieved/ |last=Liprot |first=Kate |title=Under-threat East Yorkshire 195 bus service reprieved |work=York Press |date=3 September 2011}}</ref> |
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In early February 2012 it was announced that [[Transdev York]] were to acquire the local services operated by York Pullman. The deal, which did not affect the coach hire side of the business, was completed on 26 February and saw 17 buses and 31 staff members transfer to Transdev along with the routes.<ref name="Press 4-2-12">{{cite news |url=http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/business/news/9513056.York_bus_firm_sells_vehicles_to_rival/ |last=Liprot |first=Kate |title=York Pullman sells vehicles to Veolia Transdev |work=York Press |date=4 February 2012}}</ref> |
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==Operations== |
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! style="background:blue; color:white"|1 |
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| Wiggington - Haxby- Huntington - City Centre- Acomb Shops - Chapelfields |
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| |
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|- |
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! style="background:green; color:white"|2 |
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| Rawcliffe Bar - City Centre |
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| Park & Ride, Alternative Routes Transdev York 19B & 19L and Reliance Routes 40, 30 & 30X and Stephenson Routes 31 & 31X & John Smith & Sons Service 58 & in Summer Transdev York Moorsbus M15 |
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|- |
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! style="background:white"|3 |
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| Askham Bar - City Centre |
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| Park & Ride, Alternative Routes Use Transdev York Service, 26 Or First York Service 12 |
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|- |
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! style="background:#B469AB; color:white"|4 |
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| Acomb - Foxwood - Dringhouses - City Centre - University - Heslington East |
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|Is Now Not Operated By SteetCar (FTR), Alternative Route Transdev York Service 26/26A/26C |
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|- |
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! style="background:orange; color:white"|5 |
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| Strensall - Huntington - City Centre - Leeman Road - Acomb - Beckfield Lane |
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| Alternative Routes From Acomb to City Service 1, 16 and 24/26, Service 20 to Huntington Via Poppleton, Clifton Moor, Haxby & New Earswick & To City Centre after Connecting to 19B/19L at Fulford Broadway. |
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|- |
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! style="background:purple; color:white"|6 |
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| Osbaldwick - City Centre - York Hosptial - Clifton Moor (Tesco) |
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| Evenings operates to Osbaldwick Village, For Alternative Routes in Osbaldwick use Transdev York Service 20 to Fulford Broadway and Connect to City Centre as Service's 19B/19L (Same Bus) and use Transdev York 20 from Osbaldwick to Clifton Moor Via Heworth, Monks Cross & Haxby. |
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|- |
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! style="background:red; color:white"|7 |
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| York Designer Outlet - Fulford Road - City Centre |
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| Park & Ride, For Alternative Routes Use Arriva Service's 415 & 42 |
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|- |
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! style="background:yellow"|8 |
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| Grimston Bar - City Centre |
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| Park & Ride, Alternative Routes, Service 10 (First) , East Yorkshire, X4, 18A(Sundays), X46/X47, 747, 195, 196(Tuesdays) & Transdev York X36 & 10 |
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|- |
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! style="background:silver; color:white"|9 |
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| Monks Cross - City Centre |
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| Park & Ride, Sundays does not serve Monks Cross Shopping part for alternative route from city Centre use Transdev York Service's 112 & 113 |
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|- |
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! style="background:#C40063; color:white"|10/10A |
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| Stamford Bridge - Dunnington - City Centre - Poppleton |
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| Evening journeys provided by Transdev York, and One Early Morning Saturday Journey From Poppleton to Stamford Bridge Via Dunnington Common Road as 10A, & one Saturday Morning 10 From Stamford Bridge to York Rail Station, Both of These Journey's Do NOT service University Heslington East and are Operated By Transdev York. |
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|- |
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! style="background:indigo; color:white"|11 |
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| Ashley Park - City Centre - South Bank - Bishopthorpe |
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| On Sundays & BH Transdev York Provide this Service as Route 112 to City Centre, it does not serve York Rail Station and Calls at Piccadilly then Rougier Street, and then Countinues to Monks Cross Via Clifton, Rawcliffe, Skelton, Clifton Moor, Wiggington, Haxby, New Earswick & Huntington. |
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Before Auguest 2011 Service 11 operated on Sunday's & BH to Station Road. |
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|- |
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! style="background:pink; color:white"|12 |
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| Haxby - City Centre - Acomb Park- Foxwood lane/Belhouse Way |
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| Now Runs to Foxwood lane |
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|- |
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! style="background:Brown; color:white"|13/13A |
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| Monks Cross - City Centre - Copmanthorpe |
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|On Sundays Transdev York Provided this Route as Service 113, '''NO''' Service to Woodlands Grove |
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|- |
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! style="background:#9c3; color:white"|16 |
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| Acomb - City Centre |
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| On Sundays Runs to Ostman Road & Beckfield Lane Via Danebury Drive |
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|} |
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===York park and ride=== |
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[[Image:York P&R.JPG|thumb|right|Wright bodied single decker on Park & Ride route 3 at York railway station, in April 2008]] |
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{{main|York park and ride}} |
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York also has its own park and ride service, operated by First York. It was designed to relieve York's overcrowded car parks. These services form a large part of First York's high frequency overground network and are shown in the table above. |
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Prior to February 2012, York Pullman operated a network of local services; these are now operated by [[Transdev York]], who initially retained the same timetables as those used by Pullman. Services 800,883 are still ran by Pullman Coaches The private hire side of the business continues to operate.<ref name=LocalBus>{{cite web |url=http://www.yorkpullmanbus.co.uk/local-bus-services.htm |title=Local bus services |publisher=York Pullman |accessdate=24 February 2012}}</ref> |
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=== York Racecourse Shuttle === |
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==Fleet== |
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First York shuttle buses (Service 197) to and from York railway station and the racecourse on racedays only, starting at approximately 11:30 am from over the road from York's railway station, with the last bus departing the racecourse half an hour after the last race. This service is shared between First York and [[Transdev York]]. |
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The original York Pullman company used a variety of types over the course of its existence. Prominent models operated included the [[AEC Regal III]] single-decker and [[AEC Regent III]] double-decker; examples of both have been preserved.<ref name="Buses 627" /> |
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===FTR=== |
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:{{main|FTR (bus)}} |
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In May 2006, First York became the first bus operator in the UK to introduce [[Volvo Buses|Volvo]]/[[Wright StreetCar]]s as part of the 'ftr' scheme being trialled in the city. A partnership between First Group, [[Wrightbus|Wright Group]] and [[City of York Council]], ftr was marketed as a "truly groundbreaking service...the future of travel."<ref>[http://www.goftr.com/ First Group's ftr website] - 6th April 2006</ref> Eleven articulated StreetCars now operate on the number 4 route which links the University of York, the City Centre and the suburb of Acomb. Each bus could carry 42 seated and 71 standing passengers. |
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[[Image:York ftr.jpg|thumb|left|York [[FTR (bus)|ftr bus]] on Route 4]] |
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These buses contained a driving compartment separating the 'pilot'(i.e. driver) from the passengers, and used [[Global Positioning System|GPS satellite tracking]] technology to give [[traffic light]] priority to late running buses. Much was made in the marketing of the ftr of the ability to buy 'm-tickets' on mobile phones, and prepaid tickets which can be scanned by the ticket machines. However, the automated ticket system was a failure as there was a high incidence of technical problems, and the machines were taken out of operation and boarded over. As a result, First York was forced to employ further conductors ("customer service hosts"). |
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{{POV|date=July 2008}} |
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The ftr scheme has been largely unpopular with people in York for a number of reasons, such as problems with ticketing, pricing, being late and being excessively long. Protests were especially heated among students and the York University Student Union was engaged in negotiations with First York to introduce student discounts. The University later discussed contracts with [[York Pullman]], which is a smaller firm in the city and as a result of competition, the price of the ticket has dropped significantly.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/8428212.University_of_York_backs_new_bus_funding/?action=complain&cid=8821001 |last=Laycock |first=Mike |title=University of York backs new bus funding |work=York Press |date=2 October 2010}}</ref> |
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The ftr scheme led to extension of bus stop areas to accommodate the length of these vehicles, however in many cases this was done in contravention of the guidance given in the council's [http://www.york.gov.uk/roads/highwaydesign/priorityroadusers.doc highway design] document leading to ftr's blocking the road at keep left bollards, thus causing unnecessary congestion and frustration for other road users. In 2009 First replaced the ftr with conventional buses on evenings and on Sundays. |
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Following its success at the [[York Council election, 2011|2011 local elections]], the controlling [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour group]] on the [[City_of_York#Local_government|City of York Council]] has confirmed that the ftr buses will be replaced.<ref>[http://m.yorkpress.co.uk/news/9439114.City_leaders_move_to_axe_York_s_ftr_buses/ ''City leaders move to axe York's ftr buses" (''The Press, York'', 26 December, 2011)]</ref> First agreed and the ftr vehicles will ran in York for the last time on 10 March 2012. They will be transferred to another First West Yorkshire service. Their replacements in York are 11 Volvo B9TL/Wright Eclipse Gemini (37246-56) from the Rotherham depot of First South Yorkshire. |
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K&J Logistics operated 30 vehicles at the time that it adopted the York Pullman name. Ten were painted into Pullman colours, including six coaches (five [[Volvo B10M]]s and a [[Scania K114]]), three open-top double-deckers (a [[Bristol VR]], a [[Leyland Titan (B15)|Leyland Titan]] and a [[Leyland Olympian]]) and a minibus. These buses were given fleet numbers beginning at 195, preserving the numbering system used by the original company prior to 2000.<ref name="Buses 627" /> |
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==See also== |
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The revived company's fleet later developed includes several types of coach, low-floor buses for local routes, and an open-top [[AEC Routemaster]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.yorkpullmanbus.co.uk/view-fleet.htm |title=Fleet |publisher=York Pullman |accessdate=14 September 2011}}</ref> Several [[Leyland Tiger]] single-deckers were acquired from [[Ulsterbus]] in 2010.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ith.org.uk/ubnews2010.html |title=Ulsterbus Fleet News 2010 |publisher=Irish Transport Heritage |accessdate=14 September 2011}}</ref> Seventeen vehicles were sold to Transdev York as part of the February 2012 deal,<ref name="Press 4-2-12" /> leaving 50 vehicles remaining in the Pullman fleet.<ref name=LocalBus /> |
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* [[FirstGroup]] |
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* [[List of bus operators of the United Kingdom]] |
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==References== |
==References== |
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{{ |
{{Reflist}} |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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{{commons category|FirstGroup buses in the United Kingdom}} |
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*[http://www.yorkpullmanbus.co.uk/index.htm York Pullman Website] |
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* [http://www.firstgroup.com/ukbus/york/ First York website] |
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*[http://www.petergould.co.uk/local_transport_history/fleetlists/pullman1.htm Unofficial history of the original company] |
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* [http://www.firstgroup.com/ukbus/yorkhumber/york/history/timeline.php First York history] |
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{{Bus companies in Yorkshire}} |
{{Bus companies in Yorkshire}} |
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{{FirstGroup}} |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:First Group bus operators in England]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:Transport in York]] |
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[[Category:Companies established in 1926]] |
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[[Category:Companies disestablished in 2000]] |
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[[Category:Companies established in 2007]] |
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Revision as of 15:35, 11 June 2012
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (December 2008) |
 | |
 Volvo B6BLE outside York railway station on service 1 | |
| Parent | FirstGroup |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Tanner Row, York James St, York (Depot) |
| Service area | York |
| Service type | Bus |
| Routes | Routes Include York Park and Ride |
| Operator | FirstGroup |
| Website | www.firstgroup.com |
First York is the largest bus operator in York, England. It is part of First Group, a major bus and train operator with a turnover of nearly £2.5 billion a year and 62,000 employees across the UK and North America.[1] The York depot is in James Street, and maintains a fleet of 110 buses.
Fleet
A breakdown of the buses operated by First York is as follows:
- 21 Volvo B7L/Wright Eclipse - B41F
- 5 Volvo B6BLE /Wright Crusader 2 - B38F
- 12 Volvo B7TL/Alexander ALX400 - H49/27F
- 35 Volvo B7RLE/Wright Eclipse Urban - B43/44F
- 15 Mercedes-Benz Citaro - O530 CITARO-G - AB51D
- 12 Volvo B9TL/Wright Eclipse Gemini
2001 and 2002 were significant years, for they marked the arrival of the B7Ls, B6BLEs, B7TLs and Optare Solos - 98 new vehicles in the space of a two year period represented significant investment in the First York fleet. Many buses replaced over the years have been DAF SB220s, both step-entrance and low floor Dennis Darts, Leyland Olympians, Leyland Leopards, Leyland Nationals, Leyland Atlanteans, Scania L113s, Mercedes-Benz 709Ds. For a short while during 2006 First York operated Dennis Tridents from Somerset and also three Optare Solos before Veolia took over a few routes. A number of buses were cascaded to other First companies as newer buses arrived in 2008. The 9 Wright Eclipse Fusion bendibuses have also left the fleet and now operate in Leeds & Somerset. On 26 January 2009, 15 articulated Mercedes-Benz Citaros were introduced to First York's fleet.
Services
There are thirteen colour-coded Overground routes (numbers 1-13) which operate at weekday frequencies of between eight and thirty minutes, and a limited number of other services with less intensive frequencies.[2]
First York also operates the city's Park & Ride network
Between 27 February 2007 and 26 April 2009, First York operated a service linking the city with Leeds Bradford Airport. This was branded as service 120 York Aircoach/Airlink. It was based on a model and brand successfully used by Aircoach, a sister FirstGroup company operating to and from Dublin Airport.[3] 4 Volvo B10M-62 coaches previously operated by First Coaches and First Trafford Park were acquired for this operation. The coaches were fleet numbered 20461-4 registered X191-4HFB. All wore First Excel coach branding with additional "York Aircoach" branding applied. The service was later rebranded as "York Airlink 787" to recognise that coaches were replaced by standard fleet single deckers on the route. This airport route was withdrawn on 26 April 2009 due to low patronage.
Unlike First companies in many other cities the usage of route branding is somewhat limited on the York fleet. Apart from the heavily branded Park and Ride vehicles and the ftr's on route 4, few if any other vehicles carry route branding. In the past route branding existed on a number of routes including services 1, 4, 5, 6, 10, 12 and York Aircoaches.
Routes
First in York services are as follows
| Route number | Destination | Notes & Alterative Services (Including other Companys)
|
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wiggington - Haxby- Huntington - City Centre- Acomb Shops - Chapelfields | |
| 2 | Rawcliffe Bar - City Centre | Park & Ride, Alternative Routes Transdev York 19B & 19L and Reliance Routes 40, 30 & 30X and Stephenson Routes 31 & 31X & John Smith & Sons Service 58 & in Summer Transdev York Moorsbus M15 |
| 3 | Askham Bar - City Centre | Park & Ride, Alternative Routes Use Transdev York Service, 26 Or First York Service 12 |
| 4 | Acomb - Foxwood - Dringhouses - City Centre - University - Heslington East | Is Now Not Operated By SteetCar (FTR), Alternative Route Transdev York Service 26/26A/26C |
| 5 | Strensall - Huntington - City Centre - Leeman Road - Acomb - Beckfield Lane | Alternative Routes From Acomb to City Service 1, 16 and 24/26, Service 20 to Huntington Via Poppleton, Clifton Moor, Haxby & New Earswick & To City Centre after Connecting to 19B/19L at Fulford Broadway. |
| 6 | Osbaldwick - City Centre - York Hosptial - Clifton Moor (Tesco) | Evenings operates to Osbaldwick Village, For Alternative Routes in Osbaldwick use Transdev York Service 20 to Fulford Broadway and Connect to City Centre as Service's 19B/19L (Same Bus) and use Transdev York 20 from Osbaldwick to Clifton Moor Via Heworth, Monks Cross & Haxby. |
| 7 | York Designer Outlet - Fulford Road - City Centre | Park & Ride, For Alternative Routes Use Arriva Service's 415 & 42 |
| 8 | Grimston Bar - City Centre | Park & Ride, Alternative Routes, Service 10 (First) , East Yorkshire, X4, 18A(Sundays), X46/X47, 747, 195, 196(Tuesdays) & Transdev York X36 & 10 |
| 9 | Monks Cross - City Centre | Park & Ride, Sundays does not serve Monks Cross Shopping part for alternative route from city Centre use Transdev York Service's 112 & 113 |
| 10/10A | Stamford Bridge - Dunnington - City Centre - Poppleton | Evening journeys provided by Transdev York, and One Early Morning Saturday Journey From Poppleton to Stamford Bridge Via Dunnington Common Road as 10A, & one Saturday Morning 10 From Stamford Bridge to York Rail Station, Both of These Journey's Do NOT service University Heslington East and are Operated By Transdev York. |
| 11 | Ashley Park - City Centre - South Bank - Bishopthorpe | On Sundays & BH Transdev York Provide this Service as Route 112 to City Centre, it does not serve York Rail Station and Calls at Piccadilly then Rougier Street, and then Countinues to Monks Cross Via Clifton, Rawcliffe, Skelton, Clifton Moor, Wiggington, Haxby, New Earswick & Huntington.
Before Auguest 2011 Service 11 operated on Sunday's & BH to Station Road. |
| 12 | Haxby - City Centre - Acomb Park- Foxwood lane/Belhouse Way | Now Runs to Foxwood lane |
| 13/13A | Monks Cross - City Centre - Copmanthorpe | On Sundays Transdev York Provided this Route as Service 113, NO Service to Woodlands Grove |
| 16 | Acomb - City Centre | On Sundays Runs to Ostman Road & Beckfield Lane Via Danebury Drive |
York park and ride
York also has its own park and ride service, operated by First York. It was designed to relieve York's overcrowded car parks. These services form a large part of First York's high frequency overground network and are shown in the table above.
York Racecourse Shuttle
First York shuttle buses (Service 197) to and from York railway station and the racecourse on racedays only, starting at approximately 11:30 am from over the road from York's railway station, with the last bus departing the racecourse half an hour after the last race. This service is shared between First York and Transdev York.
FTR
In May 2006, First York became the first bus operator in the UK to introduce Volvo/Wright StreetCars as part of the 'ftr' scheme being trialled in the city. A partnership between First Group, Wright Group and City of York Council, ftr was marketed as a "truly groundbreaking service...the future of travel."[4] Eleven articulated StreetCars now operate on the number 4 route which links the University of York, the City Centre and the suburb of Acomb. Each bus could carry 42 seated and 71 standing passengers.
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These buses contained a driving compartment separating the 'pilot'(i.e. driver) from the passengers, and used GPS satellite tracking technology to give traffic light priority to late running buses. Much was made in the marketing of the ftr of the ability to buy 'm-tickets' on mobile phones, and prepaid tickets which can be scanned by the ticket machines. However, the automated ticket system was a failure as there was a high incidence of technical problems, and the machines were taken out of operation and boarded over. As a result, First York was forced to employ further conductors ("customer service hosts").
 |
The ftr scheme has been largely unpopular with people in York for a number of reasons, such as problems with ticketing, pricing, being late and being excessively long. Protests were especially heated among students and the York University Student Union was engaged in negotiations with First York to introduce student discounts. The University later discussed contracts with York Pullman, which is a smaller firm in the city and as a result of competition, the price of the ticket has dropped significantly.[5]
The ftr scheme led to extension of bus stop areas to accommodate the length of these vehicles, however in many cases this was done in contravention of the guidance given in the council's highway design document leading to ftr's blocking the road at keep left bollards, thus causing unnecessary congestion and frustration for other road users. In 2009 First replaced the ftr with conventional buses on evenings and on Sundays.
Following its success at the 2011 local elections, the controlling Labour group on the City of York Council has confirmed that the ftr buses will be replaced.[6] First agreed and the ftr vehicles will ran in York for the last time on 10 March 2012. They will be transferred to another First West Yorkshire service. Their replacements in York are 11 Volvo B9TL/Wright Eclipse Gemini (37246-56) from the Rotherham depot of First South Yorkshire.
See also
References
- ^ Stuart Martin, Bill Potter and David Donati (eds.), "2005 First Bus Handbook", page 5. British Bus Publishing, 2005
- ^ First York website - 6th April 2006
- ^ "Aircoach". FirstGroup. Retrieved 2008-05-20.
- ^ First Group's ftr website - 6th April 2006
- ^ Laycock, Mike (2 October 2010). "University of York backs new bus funding". York Press.
- ^ City leaders move to axe York's ftr buses" (The Press, York, 26 December, 2011)
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to FirstGroup buses in the United Kingdom.
