An extra bus service has been introduced between Embsay and Skipton after children as young as 11 were left stranded at the roadside because morning services were full.
The additional weekday service began on Monday following complaints from parents and intervention by local councillor David Noland, who witnessed the overcrowding for himself.
Residents have been raising concerns about the lack of capacity on the popular circular route for two years, with commuters and people travelling to early appointments also struggling to find space.
However, the problem became particularly acute at the start of the new school year, when changes to school transport eligibility meant more children needed to use public buses to get to secondary schools in Skipton.
Parents reported that children were being left behind at bus stops, forcing families to make alternative arrangements to get them to school.
Some passengers had even started travelling in the opposite direction, from Skipton towards Embsay, to secure a seat before the bus turned around and headed back into town.
After parents raised their concerns with Embsay Parish Council, which contacted North Yorkshire Council, Cllr Noland decided to investigate the situation himself.
He said:
“When I got told it wasn’t possible to put on two early buses and yet the community was telling me it wasn’t workable, I decided to see for myself how bad the problem was.
“The next day, I queued up for the bus to take it to Embsay and then back into town. It was full of kids and there wasn’t enough room to get on.”
Cllr Noland subsequently approached council officers again, arguing that a single morning service was simply unable to cope with demand.
The council has now agreed to trial an additional bus, with services departing Skipton for Embsay at 7.45am and 8.10am, Monday to Friday.
The extra capacity is intended to help schoolchildren, commuters and other passengers travelling into Skipton during the morning rush.
Cllr Noland welcomed the decision and praised council officers for responding to residents’ concerns.
“Parents shouldn’t have to fight to get to work or put their children on a public bus in the morning".
“I’m grateful that North Yorkshire Council officers have made this work and put on the extra bus needed.
"Just imagine the impact on traffic and pollution if they were all taking their cars.”
He said the experience demonstrated the importance of providing public transport that met the needs of rural communities.
“This just goes to show how public transport can really work for rural communities.
"Less traffic, less parking issues, less pollution and more money in people’s pockets.
"It’s a win-win.”
Cllr Noland added:
“We need more rural buses that help people get to work and appointments.
“This is a fantastic example of meeting the needs of people crying out to do the right thing and take public transport.”
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