The popular Moorsbus network of leisure bus services to and across the North York Moors National Park is to restart with an improved service.
It will run on twice as many days as 2016, taking locals and visitors to the heart of some of Britain's finest countryside every Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday from 1 May to the end of September.
Also, in response to passenger requests, new routes will be introduced. These include the return of buses to Dalby Forest and through Rosedale, with an early morning service ideal for walkers.
“All this growth has been made possible through a mix of small donations from passengers, together with funding from parish and town councils, specific grants from other bodies and – of course – fares,” says Bill Breakell of Moorsbus.
The Moorsbus Network is operated by the Moorsbus Community Interest Company, a volunteer-run organisation established in 2014 to support better public transport to and through the North York Moors.
It charters buses from a number of quality operators in the region to provide a network of services linking surrounding towns and cities with the National Park.
It works closely with the Friends of Moorsbus, also a volunteer organisation, which supports Moorsbus through the involvement of passengers in planning and funding services.
In 2017 Moorsbus will run from Darlington, Stockton, Middlesbrough, Saltburn, Redcar, Guisborough, Easingwold, Thirsk, Northallerton, Stokesley, Kirkbymoorside, Helmsley, Pickering and Malton.
Mr Breakell says: “Although Moorsbus has grown this year, we are intent on a cautious approach, with incremental improvements to respond to users. We want residents and visitors to see this as a long-term way of helping the area socially, economically and environmentally.”
The full 2017 Moorsbus timetable and fare information is online at: www.moorsbus.org
