One year ago, on Tuesday 30 January, Metro launched the MetroConnect Leeds FreeCityBus.

It was an instant hit carrying over a quarter of a million people in its first 12 weeks and notching up its millionth passenger by October.

Numbers of people using Leeds FreeCityBus now represent about 1% of all West Yorkshire bus journeys.

"MetroConnect FreeCityBus has been a fantastic and popular success from day one," said Metro Chairman Cllr Stanley King. "In just one year the service, which enables people to get around Leeds city centre, quickly, conveniently and for free, has been used by well in excess of a million passengers."

"This represents about 1% of all journeys by bus in West Yorkshire, which is three times as many passengers carried by the average bus in West Yorkshire," continued Councillor King. "As some of these passengers would previously have used a car for all or part of their journey this means Leeds FreeCityBus is also helping to reduce congestion and the related pollution so that the city and its surrounding region can continue to thrive."

Mark Walsh, Coordinator of the Leeds City Centre Retail Association said, "FreeCityBus has opened up a whole new way to get around the city, not only for commuters but also for visiting shoppers.

"Leeds has a fantastic and diverse retail environment and the FreeCityBus allows shoppers to move around quickly, safely and easily from one side to the other. Our members have noticed a large proportion of shoppers and retail staff utilising the free service."

Ian Williams, Policy Director of Leeds Chamber said, "The result of close cooperation between the city's business community, Metro and Leeds City Council, FreeCityBus has made it easy and reliable for people to move quickly around the city and has helped encourage them to leave their cars at home."

Leeds FreeCityBus runs every few minutes from 6:30am to 7:30pm Monday to Saturday, calling at 17 clearly-marked stops including Leeds Rail and Bus Stations, Leeds General Infirmary, the Universities, Park Lane College, and the shopping, business and cultural districts.

The popularity of Leeds FreeCityBus led to the successful introduction last November of a FreeTownBus service in Huddersfield and in spring this year Metro plans to launch a FreeCityBus for Wakefield.