More bus journeys ready for York pupils
From today 28 additional trips will operate every weekday during peak morning and afternoon periods.
First York is introducing duplicate bus journeys on key routes serving local schools to ensure there is capacity to enable pupils to travel safely with the start of the Autumn term.
The additional journeys have been planned following analysis of passenger numbers, now that social distancing means capacity on the bus is currently limited to approximately 50 per cent of seats.
Marc Bichtemann, Managing Director of First York, said: “Our team is well used to planning for the beginning of the school year, but has really put in a lot of additional work on timetabling and a meticulous review of operations due to the restrictions currently in place to enable everyone to travel safely.
“This has been completed in partnership with the transport and education teams in the local authority, as well as schools to anticipate demand and we look forward to welcoming pupils back on to our buses.”
The company is also using an anti-viricidal long-lasting sanitiser across its fleet and conducting enhanced cleaning of all touchpoints and surfaces on the bus on a daily basis and during selected stopovers between service changes.
Marc Bichtemann added: “We also advise all students it is the law to wear a face covering on the bus, unless under 11 or exempt and encourage everyone to following the public health guidance to wash hands or use a sanitiser before and after travel.”