YUSU President Kallum Taylor has announced the implementation of a new bus route from Merchantgate in York city centre to Heslington Hall, which will benefit students living in the Fulford area. The development is the latest in an expansion of the bus services provided to and from the University of York.
The new number 27 bus service will run from Merchantgate, along Fulford Road past stores such as Sainsbury’s, Iceland and Aldi as well as Mecca Bingo, before turning left down Broadway and passing the row of shops, and will culminate at Heslington Hall, where it will turn around and embark back along that route.
Taylor told Vision: “We’re really pleased with this addition to bus services for students here. The University’s travel and transport team are to thank for passing this one forward and getting the relevant parties on board.
“The back end of Fulford can be a pain for students to travel to and from, and the Walmgate Stray is a pretty grim route to take when it’s cold, dark and wet. Lobbying to improve that route has been like pulling teeth in recent years, so here’s the next best win.”
The service will begin on Monday 15th April and will benefit students living in and around the Fulford area who currently lack a direct bus to the University. The development comes after a free service had been established to King’s Manor for students who study there.
It is hoped that the route will provide an alternative for students who have to walk down Walmgate Stray linking Fulford and Fishergate, which has very little lighting at night, and can be a concern for vulnerable students. The new service will also provide another transport route into the city centre for students living in the Fulford area.
Second year Chemistry student, Alex McDonald, said: “It’s great to see this new bus route in place given that it benefits not only those living around the Fulford area, but those on campus finally giving everyone quick and easy access to some of the more financially accessible shops rather than the ironically named Costcutter many of us have had to cope with.
“Obviously the price increases on the other routes are a bit of a downer but it is to be expected and is, I think, worth it for the all-round benefits it can bring. Safety of students should be paramount and later on in the evenings, particularly in winter, having a bus home rather than a walk down a poorly lit lane really helps how you feel about things.”
Fares will be slightly higher than the Unibus, with a single from Merchantgate or Fulford Road to the University costing £1.90 and a return £3.00. A ticket from Broadway to the University will be slightly cheaper, with a single being £1.20 and a return £2.30.
Students though will be able to use any Unibus annual, term or monthly passes on the new service. Alternatively the 20 Tripper Cards which can be bought from Your Shop for £17 will also be accepted.
Taylor added: “I’d encourage students to make use of the ridiculously good deals in Your Shop to travel as cheaply as possible as they can be used on both the 27 and the 44.”