BUS services around Skipton will see improvements from this weekend.

North Yorkshire Council is set to implement a package of changes to its minibus routes to Horseclose, Greenacres, Carleton and Embsay.

Dales and Bowland Community Interest Company has compiled details of the changes, which are as follows:

  • Service 12 (Skipton - Carleton circular) will also run on Saturdays, with departures from Skipton Bus Station on Saturdays at: 0905, 1005, 1105, 1305, 1405, 1435 and 1535.
  • Service 14 (Skipton - Embsay circular) will also run on Saturdays, with departures from Skipton Bus Station on Saturdays at: 0900, 1000, 1100, 1300, 1400, 1500 and 1600. On Monday to Friday there will be additional journeys from Skipton Bus Station at 0800 and 1710.
  • Service 16 (Skipton - Horseclose circular) will also run on Saturdays, with departures from Skipton Bus Station on Saturdays at: 0930, 1030, 1130, 1330 and 1430.
  • Service 73 (Skipton – Greenacres circular) will be renumbered to service 13, with buses also running on Saturdays at the same times as Monday to Friday, that is 0930, 1030, 1230 and 1330.

The changes are part of the council’s Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP), funded by the Department for Transport as part of an initiative by the previous government to reallocate money previously allocated to the HS2 rail project.

BSIP funding is also enabling the continuation of the winter Sunday DalesBus service between Skipton, Gargrave and Malham this year, following its successful reintroduction last year, providing the first Winter Sunday bus service to Malham for many years.

Cravenlink bus 864 leaves Skipton Bus Station for Malham on Sundays at 1050, 1230 and 1530, and returns from Malham Buck Inn at 1140, 1440 and 1640.

All local bus fares are capped at a maximum of £2 per single journey until the end of the year as part of a national initiative. This includes all buses from Skipton.

A statement about the £2 fares on North Yorkshire County Council's website says: "From January 1 to December 31 a single bus journey will cost no more than £2 on most routes across England.

"This means that between January 1, 2023, and December 31, 2024, a single bus journey on all eligible bus routes run by participating operators will cost no more than £2 (or £4 return) thanks to Government funding.

"The scheme is part of the Government's Help for Households campaign designed to support families through cost-of-living pressures.

"The temporary £2 bus fare cap on fares does not change the concessionary fare scheme or impact free travel."