'It won't be quick and it won't be easy' - mayor's bid to improve transport

Yahoo

3 days ago

"IT won't be quick and it won't be easy."
The Mayor of York and North Yorkshire David Skaith says improving transport across his patch is top of his agenda.
Writing in his column in The Press, Mr Skaith said: "Whether I'm in the heart of the city or out in our more rural communities, the message is the same, people want and need better ways to get around.
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"We are home to some of the most rural villages in England, but you don't have to travel far from York before public transport becomes limited, infrequent, or disappears altogether.
"That's something I am determined to change."
Mr Skaith says that for many people, particularly in rural areas, the car remains the only viable option for some journeys, but that doesn't mean it should be the only option.
"We need better bus services that are reliable, frequent, and run at the times people actually need them," he said.
"It means investing in rail and ensuring our stations are accessible and connected. It also means creating safer streets so that walking, cycling, and wheeling are viable options, not just for the few but for everyone.
"As we develop York and North Yorkshire's first regionwide Local Transport Plan, these principles will be at its heart: practical improvements, rooted in people's everyday experience."
He said that the recent extension of Park and Ride hours in York means that weekday buses now start at 5.30am, and seven days a week the last bus back from the city centre runs at 10.30pm.
"I've had lots of people get in touch to say what a difference this has made. Whether it's a night out with colleagues or a family dinner, they no longer feel rushed to catch the last bus. That's exactly the kind of practical, people-focused change we need to see more of," he said.
"I've always been honest that transforming our transport system won't be quick and it won't be easy.
"One of the challenges we face is that York and North Yorkshire isn't part of the Transport for City Regions funding settlements. That means when we see billions of pounds going into places like West Yorkshire, Greater Manchester, and Liverpool. Our region deserves still deserves its fair share of the pie, and I'll keep fighting for that."
Despite those funding challenges, he welcomed the long-awaited funding for Haxby Station.
"This is a huge step forward for our region and a long-overdue breakthrough after years of delays and broken promises. Since the general election, I've worked closely with Luke Charters, the MP for York Outer, and the Labour-run City of York Council to make the case to Government," he said.
"I'm delighted that we've finally secured the backing we need to move forward. Now the hard work begins. I've learned that 'quick' in the world of transport is a lot slower than most people expect, but we're bringing everyone to the table to make sure progress happens as fast as possible."
Meanwhile he says that this week, he met with the Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander, ahead of roundtable talks with bus manufacturers.
"We spoke about our ambitions and the scale of the challenge. I made it clear that a one-size-fits-all approach won't work for us," he said.
"Our system will need to reflect the unique needs of our region and address the fact that too many of our communities are barely served by buses or not served at all.
Change won't happen overnight, but we are moving in the right direction."
David Skaith with Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander (Image: Supplied)