A new ‘medibus’ service has launched to help patients in west Hull and five East Riding parishes access health services at Hull Royal Infirmary and Castle Hill Hospital.
Funded jointly by Hull City Council and East Riding of Yorkshire Council, the new Haltemprice & West Hull MediBus Service is now available for bookings.
Initially, the service will run as a trial until March 2025 when the councils expect to hear about future funding from the Department for Transport. The service will only be able to continue, long term, if it is shown there is real demand, through the number of passengers using it, allowing the councils to gain further Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) funding from the Government.
The medibus service will serve any Hull address to the west of Ferensway and Beverley Road (A1079) as well as the East Riding parishes of Anlaby, Cottingham, Hessle, Kirk Ella and Willerby.
It will take passengers to the two sites run by the Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust in the area – Hull Royal Infirmary and Castle Hill Hospital – where passengers cannot currently use conventional bus services to access facilities.
Councillor Mark Ieronimo, cabinet portfolio holder for transportation, roads and highways at Hull City Council, said: “The launch of this new medibus service will provide real benefits for our residents and support them in accessing health services.
“It is an excellent example of how our two councils can work together to benefit communities in both the city of Hull and the East Riding as well as residents with mobility challenges, who can’t use the main bus network, to access hospital appointments more easily and reduce the likelihood of missed appointments due to lack of transport.”
Councillor Paul West, cabinet member for environment and transport at East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said: “I’m really pleased we have worked closely with Hull City Council to introduce this medibus service to enable residents in these areas of the East Riding and Hull to reach essential hospital appointments and receive the care they need.”
A spokesperson for Hull University Teaching Hospitals said: “The new medibus service will be a great help to people who cannot use normal bus services to get to outpatient appointments at our hospitals. We hope it will see a reduction in cancellations or non-attendances caused by transport problems, with people able to access health care when they need it.”
Journeys on the medibus must be booked in advance, with bookings taken on a first come, first served basis.
Fares for using the medibus service are as follows:
- Child under the age of 16 and passenger assistant or carer – no charge.
- Disabled and concessionary pass holder – single ticket: £2.50, return ticket: £5.
- Adult without any type of bus pass – single ticket: £5, return ticket: £10.
To book a journey call 03456 445959, 9am-4pm, Monday to Thursday, and 9am-3.30pm, on Friday (excluding bank holidays) or email the details of the journey required to passengerbookings@eastriding.gov.uk
The service operator will be North Holderness Community Transport (HART).
