Park-and-ride scheme in city extended for theatre crowds

VISITORS USING York’s parkand-ride service will be able to enjoy attractions in the historic city centre for longer this summer after a 10-week trial of an extended timetable was agreed.

York Council and bus operator First York have agreed that Service 3 buses from the Askham Bar park-and-ride site will operate until 10.20pm on summer evenings.

It will give audiences attending Shakespeare’s Rose Theatre time to catch the last bus back to the site after evening performances.

The theatre, which will be open next to Clifford’s Tower from June 25 until September 2, will be used to stage four of William Shakespeare’s most popular plays in front of audiences of up to 950 people.

Coun Peter Dew, the council’s executive member for transport and planning, said: “Research suggests that existing park-andride service users would like to see the operating times extended into the evenings, and the busy summer months present us with a timely opportunity to trial this.”

The last service from Tower Street currently departs at 8.05pm from Monday to Saturday and at 6.05pm on Sundays, but there will be additional departures every half hour up to 10.20pm during the trial.