NORMAL service is getting underway with the re-start of bus services connecting market towns to the Dales and also to Harrogate thanks to Friends of the Dales.

Bus services from Skipton on Saturdays will be improved from this weekend with the re-start of the routes to both Harrogate and to Malham.

The much requested bus service to Harrogate will run on Saturdays throughout the summer, allowing people to do a bit of shopping and perhaps enjoy a visit to Betty’s Tearooms while not having to worry about parking the car.

DalesBus 59 will run from Skipton Bus Station via Bolton Bridge, Blubberhouses and Millstones to Harrogate; there will be four buses during the day, and four back, with the last departing Harrogate at 4.45pm.

The service will be operated by a double-decker bus to provide more space, and ensure social distancing, which also means passengers will be able to go upstairs, and enjoy the great views.

It will be operated by the Harrogate Bus Company as part of the DalesBus network managed by Dales and Bowland Community Interest Company, part of the Friends of the Dales charity.

People will also be able to get a bus from Skipton to Malham from Saturday, on the 75 bus, which will be extended this summer to run on to Malham Tarn, Langcliffe and Settle, replacing some journeys on service 580 between Skipton and Settle via Hellifield.

There will be two buses on the 75 service leaving Skipton during the day, in the morning and in the afternoon, and two back, picking up from Settle and Malham. The 75 service is commercially operated by Kirkby Lonsdale Coach Hire.

Also underway is the 830 Northern DalesBus which will run throughout the summer Sundays until the middle of October, connecting Ingleton, Ribblehead Station, Hawes and Richmond.

The bus was featured on BBC4’s ‘All Aboard the Country Bus’ and takes a visually spectacular route, over Newby Head pass - which just last month was covered in snow - and also Buttertubs Pass, and travels from Swaledale to Richmond.

The bus departs Ribblehead at 10.30am, connecting with the train arrival from Leeds and connects with the return train in the early evening. The service is supported by the Friends of the Settle Carlisle Line and Northern Trains.

Running summer Sundays and bank holiday Mondays until mid-October is the 881 DalesBus from Settle to Malham, via Langcliffe, also with spectacular views.

For details and times of all services, visit: www.dalesbus.org