Hundreds of residents from Hull and the East Riding took the opportunity over the spring and summer to enjoy trips to the North York Moors thanks to the return of a popular bus service.
The Moorsbus (M1) was brought back thanks to funding from Hull City Council and East Riding of Yorkshire Council, through their respective bus service improvement plans, with money allocated from the Department for Transport.
In total, 2,249 passengers boarded the M1, which ran every Sunday and Bank Holiday from the beginning of May through to the end of September, with 1,317 of these originating from Hull and the East Riding.
Following its successful return, both councils, working closely with the Moorsbus Community Interest Company (CIC), are exploring options for 2026.
The service departed from Hull Paragon Interchange, stopping and picking up from Cottingham, Beverley Bus Station, Driffield and Malton Railway Station before arriving in Pickering.
Passengers could then change for the M3 service, from Pickering to the North York Moors, which visited popular destinations, including Kirkbymoorside and Hutton-le-Hole, before arriving at the Moors Centre, in Danby.
Over 3,800 people rode both the M1 service and the M3 service during the summer season.
Councillor Mark Ieronimo, cabinet portfolio holder for transport and infrastructure at Hull City Council, said: “We are absolutely delighted to hear how popular the return of the Moorsbus M1 service has been.
“Providing greater choice in how people can travel for leisure purposes and visit destinations in our county, such as the North York Moors, is an important part of our bus service improvement plan for the year and the summer season has shown, unquestionably, that there is a customer demand for this service and we will be looking at what can be done to deliver this again next year.”
Councillor Nick Coultish, cabinet member for culture, leisure and tourism at East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said: “I’m very pleased the Moorsbus was a big hit once again with passengers from our areas, enabling them to experience the beauty spots of North Yorkshire.
“It was important for us to fund these bus services to help local residents and to promote a cheaper and greener way to travel.”
The services are operated by the Moorsbus CIC, with a double-decker for the M1 service being provided by East Yorkshire Buses.
Eden Blyth, one of the directors at Moorsbus CIC, said: “We have been stunned by the popularity of the M1 service following its return. Passengers of all ages loved it and it was especially rewarding to see so many happy people, especially young families, getting back on board for the ride home at the end of another fantastic day out from Hull and East Yorkshire.
“We are grateful to both councils as well as our operator and their wonderful drivers and, especially, our passengers, for making this new service such a resounding success.”
Stuart Fillingham, commercial director of East Yorkshire, said: “East Yorkshire Buses has been pleased to support the continued efforts of Moorsbus to provide a sustainable way of seeing the beautiful countryside in our region. The service has been incredibly popular for those that have used it, and we look forward to building on this in future years.”
