Hull’s Bus Alliance has welcomed the Department for Transport’s decision to approve its plans for an enhanced partnership to deliver better bus services for the city and its passengers.
The Alliance, bringing together Hull City Council bus operators Stagecoach East Midlands and East Yorkshire Buses, produced an enhanced partnership plan and scheme.
The plan outlines the delivery of the objectives within the bus service improvement plan, including bus user feedback and preferences and measures to promote bus travel.
Bus services in Hull have been impacted by a number of challenges, including the Covid-19 pandemic and a shortage of drivers.
Stagecoach and East Yorkshire Buses have worked closely with Hull City Council to address these issues, and are excited about delivering enhanced bus services, as part of a joint commitment to public transport in the city.
Councillor Mark Ieronimo, cabinet portfolio holder for transportation, roads and highways at Hull City Council, said: “It is vitally important that we deliver the bus services that the people of Hull deserve.
“Bus operators have faced significant and unprecedented challenges over the past few years, which have affected services.
“Through the new enhanced partnership, the Hull Bus Alliance is looking to the future and working even more closely together to help make bus travel more efficient, reliable and attractive.
“By encouraging more people to choose bus travel, we can reduce congestion on our roads and make travelling around Hull a better experience for everyone.”
Matt Cranwell, MD of Stagecoach, said: “We are pleased to see that our long-term bus service improvement plan for Hull has been approved by the DfT.
“Our partnership, in the past, has delivered a number of initiatives that have benefited bus users in the city, which has been supported by significant funding from Stagecoach.
“It’s now important that we work closely together to implement further measures that assist buses to move around the city more easily and that will help ensure we provide a punctual and reliable bus service, as well as reduce journey times for bus users.
“It’s vital that buses within the city are supported, as a thriving bus network helps reduce traffic congestion, whilst reducing harmful emissions.”
Ben Gilligan, MD of East Yorkshire Buses, added: “Buses play a critical role in the connectivity and prosperity of the city, allowing people to move around as well as opening up access to jobs, leisure and education.
“This collaborative effort between ourselves, Stagecoach and Hull City Council represents a commitment to overcoming previous challenges and helping create a better network across the city for our passengers.”
