Continued funding for Metro's Wakefield FreeCityBus service has been agreed by the West Yorkshire Passenger Transport Authority (WYPTA) and Wakefield Council.

The PTA has agreed to continue to support the popular service, jointly with Wakefield Council, until April 2012.

"Wakefield FreeCityBus has been a huge success," said Metro Chairman, Cllr Ryk Downes, 'it quickly became a popular and recognisable feature of the Wakefield Cityscape and has carried over 150,000 passengers since its launch less than six months ago".

"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 reduces 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."

"The service was set up with Wakefield Council following the success of Metro's hugely popular Leeds FreeCityBus and the Huddersfield FreeTownBus," continued Cllr Downes.

"Metro and Wakefield Council are in the process of seeking private sector partners to help fund the service, which is contributing to the city's prosperity and reducing congestion in Wakefield," added Cllr Downes.

Leader of Wakefield Council, Councillor Peter Box, said, "the FreeCityBus is a highly visible example of the renaissance of Wakefield and just one of many improvements linking three major regeneration schemes in Westgate, Trinity Walk and the waterfront."