Arriva has launched an improved Sunday and bank holiday service on its Moorsbus network in North Yorkshire, which began on Sunday, July 3.
With the backing of its passengers and local parish councils, and in association with Ryedale Community Transport, a new direct bus service will pick up rail passengers from York or further afield at Malton railway station and take them around the North York Moors National Park.
Also new is a frequent shuttle bus service between Helmsley and Rievaulx Abbey and three new journeys between Helmsley and Sutton Bank.
Direct buses will link Darlington, Stockton and Middlesbrough to the heart of the Moors at Danby and Pickering, including an interchange facility at Guisborough providing access to the full range of Moorsbus destinations.
Following a successful launch in 2015, Moorsbus will also link Saltburn, Redcar, Stokesley, Northallerton railway station and Thirsk with Byland Abbey, Helmsley and Bilsdale.
A new Moors Rover ticket allows unlimited travel on all Moorsbus services for the day for £8. Moors Rover tickets can also be bought and used on Arriva’s 5, 63, 81 and X93 services along the coast.
Moors Rover tickets will also be valid on Scarborough and District’s hourly 128 bus between Thornton Dale, Pickering, Kirkbymoorside and Helmsley, and on East Yorkshire’s ‘Moors Explorer’ bus between Thornton Dale, Pickering, Hutton-le-Hole and Danby on Sundays and Bank Holidays from July 24 to August 29, 2016.
Bill Breakell, of the Moorsbus Community Interest Company, said: “This summer’s Moorsbus network offers many exciting opportunities to enjoy some of England’s finest countryside and visitor attractions.
“We’re especially delighted to launch a brand-new frequent service between Helmsley and Rievaulx Abbey, with 14 trips in each direction.
“This will give visitors a chance to enjoy what we call a ‘buswalk’ – a round trip to the Abbey by walking in one direction along the beautiful Cleveland Way footpath and travelling by bus in the other direction. This means walkers see twice as much of the countryside by not having to walk around in a circle from a parked car – while helping to keep traffic off narrow moorland roads, which is good news for the environment.”
