Fleet of new vehicles for Wakefield�s free bus service

Wakefield�s free bus service has been relaunched � with a fleet of modern, new vehicles that will make journeys more comfortable for passengers.

The Free City Bus service has been providing transport for commuters and shoppers around Wakefield city centre since 2007.

The service now has a new operator, Tetley of Leeds, and will continue to run frequently from Monday to Friday and stop at places including Kirkgate Station, Westgate Station, the Bullring, city centre shopping areas and the Hepworth Wakefield.

Cutting congestion

The new buses, which meet the latest European emissions standards, will be�used by hundreds of passengers each day, helping to reduce the number of cars on the road�and cutting costly congestion.�

Wakefield Free City Buses run every 10 to 12 minutes from 0730 to 1840, Monday to Fridays and between 0830 and 1700 on Saturdays.
Details , including timetable and route map are available on the West Yorkshire Combined Authority�s Metro travel information website.

The service is funded by Wakefield Council and the Combined Authority.

Four journeys to the Moon�

Cllr Keith Wakefield, Chair of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority Transport Committee said: �Since they were introduced in 2007, Wakefield�s Free City Buses have clocked up over one million miles � the equivalent of about four journeys to the Moon - and have been used by around four million people to travel between the city�s main transport, shopping, leisure and cultural locations.

�These popular Free Bus services, which the Combined Authority also supports services in Dewsbury and Huddersfield help support local economies and ease congestion, and I am pleased to see that the new vehicles have been built by Leeds City region company Optare.�

Comfort

Cllr Matthew Morley, Cabinet Member for Transport and Highways at Wakefield Council, said: �The free bus service is now in its eleventh year and continues to be very popular. I am pleased that passengers will be able to enjoy the comfort of new, modern vehicles as it�s a great way for commuters, shoppers and visitors to get around the city.�

Technology

Ian Tetley Managing Director of Tetley's Motor Services said: �Tetley's Motor Services are delighted to have the opportunity of working in partnership with Wakefield Council and WYCA to continue a popular and well patronised service. The new Optare Solos have the very latest euro 6 diesel engine technology with significantly reduce emissions.�