Representatives from Wakefield companies and organisations were this week briefed by Metro about the new MetroConnect FreeCityBus.

Delegates heard how FreeCityBus will provide an ideal, free link to key parts of the town centre for people arriving in Wakefield by train, bus or coach, reducing the need for them to bring their cars into the town centre.

Metro is launching Wakefield FreeCityBus on Monday 23 April in partnership with Wakefield Council. Buses will 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 will 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.

Three, clearly branded, low-floor 29-seat single-deck buses with CCTV coverage have been acquired for the service, which will reach parts of Wakefield not currently accessible by public transport.

“Metro has set up this initial six-month trial of the Wakefield FreeCityBus following the success of the hugely popular free bus services we have already launched in Leeds and Huddersfield,” said Metro Chairman, Cllr Stanley King.

“We expect that as has been the case in Leeds and Huddersfield, more people will travel into Wakefield by train or bus knowing they can then easily use the FreeCityBus service to get around,” continued Cllr King.

In the lead up to the launch date of Monday 23 April, Metro will be distributing 60,000 leaflets about Wakefield FreeCityBus and organising on-street promotions in the city centre.

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.

Details of the new service, including a downloadable map of the route.