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Partnership delivers free wi-fi on all of York’s Park & Ride bus services

Posted: 27 November 2014 | FirstGroup

Bus operator First and City of York Council have officially launched a free WI-FI service for tens of thousands of bus users thanks to York’s share of £50 million from the government’s Super-Connected Cities programme fund…

First wifi

In total the free Wi-Fi facility has been installed on 47 vehicles

Bus operator First and City of York Council have today officially launched a free WI-FI service for tens of thousands of bus users thanks to York’s share of £50 million from the government’s Super-Connected Cities programme fund.

From this week every York Park&Ride bus service together with 15 buses running local services now provide a free WI-FI service following an award of £320k of government funding to City of York Council to help deliver Wi-Fi on public transport in York. The scheme is funded by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), as part of York’s status as one of 22 SuperConnected Cities.

First wifi

In total the free Wi-Fi facility has been installed on 47 vehicles

In total the free Wi-Fi facility has been installed on 47 vehicles (nearly half the First York fleet) which serve all six Park & Ride sites together with buses that run on parallel local bus services.

Although the equipment will be owned by the council, First will manage the service and after two years the operator can purchase the equipment from the council at a market rate.

Cllr David Levene, Cabinet Member for Transport at City of York Council, said: “Through this government grant we’re working with all York bus operators to aspire to help fund free Wi-Fi on all York’s services. Our aim is to encourage even more people to travel by bus and increase passenger numbers by 18 per cent by 2015. This is just another way in which we’re helping to make bus travel more attractive for new and existing commuters.”

Will Pearson, Business Manager for First in York, said: “We’re delighted to be working in partnership with City of York Council to provide free Wi-Fi for our customers. As well as great value fares and a convenient service, Park & Ride customers can now surf the internet, catch up with friends on social media, check emails or shop online – attracting even more people out of their cars onto public transport.”

To find out more about the Super-Connected cities programme visit: www.yorkmeansbusiness.com/digital-york/public-transport-wi-fi.aspx

Find out more about bus improvements to York’s services at www.itravelyork.info.buses

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