Harrogate Bus Company unveils new plans to bring back passengers

The boss of Harrogate Bus Company is determined to make good his pledge that public transport is ready to play a key role in the reopening of the town centre and Harrogate's economy..
Peter Bowman (left) and Martin Sykes from The Harrogate Bus Company give a thumbs-up signal as bus services increase from Sunday,  May 31.Peter Bowman (left) and Martin Sykes from The Harrogate Bus Company give a thumbs-up signal as bus services increase from Sunday,  May 31.
Peter Bowman (left) and Martin Sykes from The Harrogate Bus Company give a thumbs-up signal as bus services increase from Sunday, May 31.

After telling the Harrogate Advertiser earlier this month he was confident 90% of passengers would return to using the bus once lockdown eased, the firm's chief executive Alex Hornby has issued a new message to Harrogate passengers: "our buses are clean and safe – and ready to go. If you need us, we’re here."

Harrogate Bus Company is now preparing to introduce additional capacity to many of its routes from this weekend – providing more buses and extra space for customers and colleagues while ensuring effective social distancing continues.

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As part of its enhanced and extensive daily cleaning regime, a powerful anti-viral mist is sprayed through its buses each night – with further deep cleaning at bus stations and destinations throughout the day to maintain the highest standards of hygiene.

With safety as its number one priority as Government restrictions during the Coronavirus pandemic begin to ease, The Harrogate Bus Company is also releasing a series of easy-to-follow messages to its customers – including key workers and those making journeys to access essential services who’ve relied on its bus services throughout the pandemic, as well as those who haven’t travelled since the current situation began.

What Harrogate Bus Company's plans boil down to is:

More buses. More space for passengers. More cleaning. More screens. More help.

From this Sunday, May 31, timetables on many of its services will be revised, with additional journeys and extra buses in place at busy times, to allow more room for social distancing on board.

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The changes will see the frequency of many of the most popular services significantly increased, including:

The 36: A bus every 15 minutes Monday to Saturday between Harrogate and Leeds, plus every 30 minutes on Sunday. Buses will also run every 30 minutes Monday to Saturday and hourly on Sunday between Ripon and Leeds.

The 1: Buses every 10 minutes Monday to Saturday between Harrogate and Knaresborough, with buses every 30 minutes on Sunday.

The Harrogate Bus Company's chief executive Alex Hornby said: “An immense amount of work is going on every day behind the scenes to make sure our buses are safe for everyone to use. We’re constantly monitoring customer numbers and adding in extra buses wherever we see journeys becoming busier, so everyone can space out and to enable effective social distancing.

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“Our message is fully in line with the Government’s current advice but, as lockdown measures ease, we feel now is the right time to explain more about what we’re doing to keep our customers safe, and what you can do to help when the time comes for you to step on board our buses.

“With extensive cleaning throughout the day and plenty of room on board, right now our buses are among the safest places you can be when travelling."

The Harrogate Bus Company is installing additional signs on buses and at key bus stops and bus stations giving simple guidance to safe travels. Key advice to protect customers and staff includes:

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Clear and easy to follow guidance – signposted at bus stations and key bus stops as well as on every bus

Planning a journey? – please bring hand sanitiser and tissues just in case – and wear a face covering if you can

Before you board – information displays to make sure there’s room for everyone, with key sources online for up-to-the-minute travel information, and ensuring people prioritise essential journeys

As you board the bus – step on board one at a time, maintaining social distancing as you go. Also, try to avoid using cash, pay by contactless or using the ‘Transdev Go’ mobile app. Protective screens are in place between you and your driver to keep everyone safe

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As you travel – look around. Can you space out more? Limits on customer numbers on each bus are in place, with extra buses running so everyone can spread out.

If you need to cough or sneeze, please use a tissue, and take it with you when you leave the bus. Open windows can help to let fresh air flow through your bus as you go

Leaving your bus – please remain seated until the bus stops. Clear markings on the floor show where it is safe to stay until the doors open and you are ready to leave. Look around to maintain a safe distance from other customers – and please make sure you take all your belongings with you as you go.

Mr Hornby said: "Our collaborative approach sees us introduce a range of initiatives led by colleagues and stakeholders to promote safety on board our buses.

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"All our team continue to be hugely positive and their incredible efforts have got us all through the pandemic – my sincere thanks go to them all.

“The experience gained during the lockdown is helping us to plan ahead now as people begin a limited return to work.

"We will provide the quickest and best value solution to congestion and air quality in our towns and cities as we move beyond the pandemic – and in the meantime, our buses are clean, safe and we’re here if you need us.”

Full details of all of The Harrogate Bus Company’s services, including travel advice and revised timetables which begin from this Sunday are available online at: https://www.transdevbus.co.uk/harrogate and on the free to download Transdev Go mobile app.

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Follow @harrogatebus on Twitter for constantly updated service information.

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