Accessibility statement

Changes to bus services

Posted on 22 September 2020

From Sunday 27 September there will be a number of changes across the bus services provided by First Bus.

First Bus York have been providing the University of York with a number of reliable bus services for some time now, including free inter-campus services as well as routes into the city to reach King’s Manor and the station. 

From Sunday 27  September there will be several changes to the First Bus service:

  • First Bus have put a price freeze in place against last year's travel costs. 
  • Free travel will continue to be provided between Campus East and West, however where possible please either walk or cycle.
  • A brand new ub2 campus shuttle bus is being introduced. The route will start at Wentworth College, travel via Heslington Hall across campus every 10 minutes to the Sports Village on East. This is free to use, simply show your staff ID card.
  • The ub1 starts at Halifax College and travels to Campus East every 30 minutes, now travelling through to Grimston Bar Park and Ride (the charge to park is yet to be finalised).
  • Be aware that Route 66 has changed and is now no longer a free inter-campus travel route. It has been superseded by the introduction of a higher frequency free ub2 bus as well as the ub1. 
  • Fairfax House residents and those travelling to Thief Lane / The Retreat can continue to travel free of charge by showing your University ID.
  • Please note the Yorkey card cannot be used outside the University network.

To help to manage these changes, at the start of the academic year, First will be deploying team members at key times and locations to advise passengers how to use the new routes.

Please also be aware of the physical distancing signs at bus stops and remember to wear a face covering on public transport. For those who cannot wear a face covering, students and staff should either wear the sunflower lanyard or download an exemption card from First website to show to the driver upon entering the bus.

Purchasing Yorkey tickets has also become a lot easier with the addition of tickets available in bundles of 10’s and 20’s, short period products are available such as by term / by year and all tickets can be purchased on the First Bus app. 

First buses continue to be Covid Safe and we would encourage you to use the First Bus app to check the availability of seats when making your journey. 

Changes to the new bus timetable and route maps can be found on the Travel and Transport pages.