Park-and-ride services could be closed after passenger numbers fall

TWO PARK-AND-RIDE services in Scarborough could be closed because passenger numbers are falling.

A consultation has been launched by North Yorkshire County Council on the future of the park and ride sites on the A64 Seamer Road and on the A165 Filey Road on the outskirts of the town to the south. The services, which cost £437,000 a year to run, were introduced as part of the Scarborough Integrated Transport Scheme in 2009 and see buses run every 15 minutes following a circular route, stopping at South Bay and York Place.

According to council officials, the services initially had a significant positive impact on congestion and data collected in 2011 showed that it had contributed to, on average, the removal of 500 vehicles a day from Scarborough town centre.

But since 2012 there has been a steady decline in passenger numbers, with the number of people using the Seamer Road site falling from 238,694 in 2011-12 to 124,786 by 2017-18, and passenger totals using the Filey Road site falling from 294,468 to 147,331 during the same period.

The consultation announced yesterday, which runs until April 30, gives residents the chance to have their say on options including closing both the A64 Seamer Road site and the A165 Filey Road site or closing just one of the sites. There is also an option to operate seasonal services only.

Don Mackenzie, North Yorkshire County Council’s executive member for transport, said yesterday of the decision: “Promotional and publicity work by the bus operator has had limited success in increasing passenger numbers.

“In view of the reduced usage, we are reviewing the service provision to ensure that it is appropriate for the current demand.”

To take part in the consultation visit www.northyorks.gov.uk/options-change-level-servicescarborough-park-ride.