Festive bus services funded to support families and partygoers and boost the economy

Families Christmas shopping or revellers enjoying a night out in Hull ahead of the festive season will have even more travel options thanks to new bus schemes being funded by Hull City Council.

Through funds allocated by the Department for Transport (DfT) for its bus service improvement plan (BSIP), the council, working with local bus operators Stagecoach and East Yorkshire, will be offering new night buses as well as late-night services and a fare discount for the Priory Park and Ride.

The new schemes aim to provide a timely boost to the local economy and encourage more people to use sustainable forms of transport.

The Park and Ride will be operating a late-night service every Thursday, from 6.20pm to 9pm, every 20 minutes. A Sunday service will run from 10am to 5pm, every 20 minutes, between Thursday 16 November until Christmas Eve (Sunday 24 December).

In addition, a reduced flat fare for the Park and Ride during the same dates will cost just £1 for a return ticket.

The route will be via the A63, Rawling Way, Anlaby Road, Ferensway, Spencer Street, Prospect Street, Albion Street, Bond Street, Queens Dock Avenue, Carr Lane then back to Priory Park.

The special return fare of £1 for all fare paying passengers is only available from Priory Park.

To help night-time socialising over the festive period, the council has also funded new night bus services that will run from Saturday 2 December 2023 through to Saturday 24 February 2024.

The services will provide an additional safe and convenient travel option across all parts of the city.

East bound services will start at Hull Truck and service Alfred Gelder Street.

West and North bound services will start at Alfred Gelder Street and serve Hull Truck before going out of the city centre.

To ensure the safety of passengers, bus marshals will be on duty at the Hull Truck and Alfred Gelder Street stops to provide support.

Councillor Mark Ieronimo, cabinet portfolio holder for transportation, roads and highways, said -

“Working with our local operators, the council is delighted to be funding these new bus services which will provide residents across the city with an alternative and more sustainable travel option over the Christmas and New Year period.

Whether you are doing a bit of a Christmas shopping or getting together with family and friends to celebrate the season, buses will provide a safe and convenient choice, with all buses in the city able to take contactless payments for getting to and from the city centre.

The extension of the Government’s bus fare cap also means that residents can continue to hop on board most East Yorkshire or Stagecoach buses for just £2, per single journey.”

Matt Cranwell, managing director at Stagecoach, said -

"We're pleased to partner with Hull City Council in delivering new late night bus services as we move into the festive season. If you're enjoying a night out in the city, using the bus is a convenient, safe and easy travel choice.

We're also delighted to run extra services on our Priory Park and Ride for Christmas shoppers on Thursday nights and Sundays. With plenty of free parking spaces and the special £1 low fare, using the Priory Park and Ride gives great value to local people travelling into Hull.

Leaving the car at the edge of the city and travelling by bus for the last few miles helps reduce traffic congestion and improves air quality for everyone."

Ben Gilligan, managing director at East Yorkshire Buses, said -

“We’re pleased to be working in collaboration with Hull City Council to introduce these late-night services.

With single journeys capped at just £2, we look forward to helping families, friends and partygoers alike to connect and celebrate this festive season – and of course, to get home afterwards safely.”