Metro is reminding people who use the Leeds FreeCityBus that it is now the LeedsCityBus.

Passengers will be charged 50p per journey and, while the exact fare will help minimise delays, change will be given.

Leeds CityBus leaflet (pdf, 392k)

Passengers showing valid Day or Season tickets from First or any other West Yorkshire bus operators will travel free and MetroCards, Blind Concessionary Passes and MetroDay tickets will be valid. Other concessions, such as the English National Concessionary Scheme for Senior and Disabled, and Metro DayRovers will also be valid after 9.30am.

As a result of a 50% funding cut, Leeds' FreeCityBus service would have ended today but in response to widespread concerns from its current users and many people's comments that they would be willing to pay to use it, Metro has stepped in to organise a five-month trial for the 50p LeedsCityBus.

Unchanged route

LeedsCityBus follows the same route as the FreeCityBus, connecting Leeds' rail and bus stations, business and shopping districts, the General Infirmary, Universities and Park Lane College. Still in a distinctive red white and blue livery, it continues to run every few minutes.

The buses, which Metro has loaned to the trial's operator First, and the bus stops have been updated and there is on-bus information explaining the fares. In addition Metro staff have been out handing out flyers to FreeCityBus users explaining the LeedsCityBus trial.

Since its introduction in January 2006, the FreeCityBus was used by over 7½ million passengers, and was particularly popular with people who have mobility problems, and parents with young children. It also helped to limit city centre congestion by encouraging people to leave their cars at home and use connecting trains and buses instead.