One year ago, on Monday 23 April, Metro in partnership with Wakefield Council launched the MetroConnect Wakefield FreeCityBus.

To celebrate this first anniversary on Wednesday 23 April, Metro Chairman Cllr Ryk Downes and the Mayor of Wakefield Council Cllr Allan Garbutt accompanied by the Mayoress of Wakefield Cllr Pat Garbutt, Cllr Stanley King Deputy Chairman of Metro and other Passenger Transport Authority members were at Wakefield Westgate Station handing out slices of a special birthday cake .

During the day FreeCityBus drivers also gave away 365 individual cakes to passengers.

“Wakefield FreeCityBus has been a tremendous success,” said Cllr Downes,”It quickly became a popular and recognisable feature of the Wakefield Cityscape and has carried over 400,000 passengers since its launch just a year ago.”

“It 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 reduces the need for them to bring their cars into the city centre.

“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.”

Cllr Garbutt said: "Congratulations to all involved in Wakefield FreeCityBus which is a highly visible example of how fast the city centre is changing. 

"Its route links the three major regeneration schemes in Westgate, Trinity Walk, as well as railway and bus stations and shops. Its popularity is clear from the huge numbers of people using it every day.  I am delighted to be part of the anniversary celebration."

Metro and the Council set up Wakefield’s FreeCityBus following the success of Metro’s hugely popular Leeds FreeCityBus and the Huddersfield FreeTownBus, Later this year a fourth FreeBus service will be launched in Bradford.