Just four months after its launch, Wakefield’s MetroConnect FreeCityBus has already carried over 100,000 passengers.
Passenger numbers for the hugely popular Wakefield MetroConnect FreeCityBus grew very quickly and the service exceeded its targets within a couple of weeks of its 23 April launch. Last week passenger numbers passed the 100,000 mark.
Developed by Metro in partnership with Wakefield Council, the fleet of three low-floor, 29-seat single-deck FreeCityBuses run every ten minutes from 7.30am to 7.00pm Monday to Friday and from 8.30am to 5.00pm on Saturdays.
The 2.7 mile route’s 12 stops link key locations around Wakefield City Centre including the city's Westgate and Kirkgate train stations, the bus station, shops and retail parks, the Ridings Centre, Ings Road and the Cathedral and Westgate Retail and Leisure Parks.
“We knew there was a strong need for a Wakefield FreeCityBus,” said Metro Chairman, Cllr Ryk Downes, ‘it quickly become a well-liked and recognisable feature of the Wakefield Cityscape and having carried over 100,000 passengers in such a short space of time proves just how important and popular the service is.”
“The FreeCityBus provides an ideal, free link to key parts of the city centre for local people and visitors arriving in or passing through Wakefield by train, bus or coach, including parts of the city not previously accessible by public transport and reducing the need for them to bring their cars into the city centre’. Continued Cllr Downes.
“The service is particularly helpful for people who have mobility problems, and parents with small children, who can now travel into Wakefield by train or bus knowing they can then easily use FreeCityBus to get around.”
“This trial service was set up with Wakefield Council following the success of Metro’s hugely popular Leeds FreeCityBus and the Huddersfield FreeTownBus,” said Metro Chairman, Cllr Ryk Downes.
“FreeCityBus is one of several exciting transport opportunities in the pipeline for Wakefield District,” continued Councillor Downes. “Plans for our £14.5m Castleford Interchange, which will bring together the town’s bus and rail stations in a state-of-the-art facility have been approved and construction is expected to start next year. And Network Rail has earmarked a £1.4m contribution to the redevelopment of Wakefield Westgate Rail Station.
Leader of Wakefield Council, Councillor Peter Box, said, “the FreeCityBus is another example of the renaissance of Wakefield and just one of many improvements linking three major regeneration schemes in Westgate, Trinity Walk and the waterfront.”
Margaret Wood, Chair of first – the Wakefield District Development Agency, commented, “This is a fantastic achievement for everyone concerned, with the FreeCityBus helping to open up new opportunities for those who live, work and play here. Transport has already and will continue to play a major role in the success of the District and is one of the factors that saw Wakefield named ‘Britain’s Best Small City for Business’ (OMIS Research 2006).”
Details of the Wakefield FreeCityBus service, including a downloadable map of the route.
