Metro and Wakefield Council will be launching a new, MetroConnect Wakefield FreeCityBus at the end of April after funding for a six-month trial was approved at a West Yorkshire Passenger Transport Authority meeting on Friday 9 February.

Wakefield FreeCityBus service will link the city's Westgate and Kirkgate train and bus stations, shops and retail parks including the Ridings Centre. It will also serve the Ings Road and Westgate Retail and Leisure Parks, parts of which are not currently accessible by public transport. Buses will run every ten minutes from 7:30am to 7:00pm, Monday to Friday and 8:30am to 5:00pm on Saturdays.

During the trial period, numbers of people using the service will be monitored to assess its impact on traffic levels and the accessibility benefits it provides. A decision will then be taken on whether the service will be made permanent.

"Wakefield FreeCityBus will link key parts of the city centre for people arriving by train, bus or coach, and make getting around the city centre easier for people who have mobility problems and parents with small children," said Metro Chairman, Councillor Stanley King."

"I can see no reason why Wakefield FreeCityBus shouldn't be every bit as successful as the hugely popular Leeds FreeCityBus and Huddersfield FreeTownBus services which between them have already transported two million passengers," he added.

"There is a real need for a service of this kind in Wakefield and I am sure it will be welcomed by local businesses and their employees, said Wakefield Council Leader Councillor Peter Box.

"Knowing that there is a regular, reliable and free city centre service that they can catch from the bus or rail station will encourage more people to travel to the city by public transport and reduce congestion on our roads."

The three, 29-seat buses will be brightly and clearly marked FreeCityBus, with a logo on the roof so people can also identify them from their office windows.

Metro will be out and about promoting the Wakefield FreeCityBus in April.

More information and a map of the route.