Yorkshire Coastliner

Yorkshire Coastliner

A Coastliner branded Wright Gemini 3 bodied Volvo B5TL in the North York Moors, operating service 840 in November 2021
Parent	Transdev Blazefield
Founded	1990;35 years ago (1990)
Headquarters	Harrogate, North Yorkshire England
Service area	North Yorkshire West Yorkshire
Service type	Bus and coach
Stations	Malton Bus Station
Depots	3
Fleet	58 (at July 2023)
Managing Director	Henri Rohard [1]
Website	transdevbus.co.uk/coastliner transdevbus.co.uk/flyer/ yorkcitysightseeing.com

Yorkshire Coastliner is a bus company that operates both local and regional bus services in North Yorkshire and West Yorkshire, England. It is a subsidiary of Transdev Blazefield.

History

The company was established in 1990, when the York-based services of AJS Group were sold to Yorkshire Rider. ^{[2] [3]} At the time, AJS Group retained the regional services between Leeds and Bridlington, Filey, Scarborough and Whitby via York and Malton.

In August 1991, Yorkshire Coastliner was included in the purchase of AJS Group by Blazefield Group, following the sale of seven of the company's eight remaining bus firms at the time – a deal valued at £2.2 million. ^[4]

In January 2006, French-based operator Transdev acquired the Blazefield Group, along with 305 vehicles. ^{[5] [6]}

In August 2008, Top Line Travel and Veolia Transport were purchased. ^[7] The company further expanded in February 2012, following the purchase of York Pullman's local bus operations. The sale included the transfer of 31 employees and 17 vehicles. ^{[8] [9]}

In 2018, following the award of contracts by North Yorkshire County Council to replace those formerly operated by Stephensons of Easingwold, local services in and around York were rebranded York & Country, with vehicles subsequently rebranded in a two-tone blue livery. ^[10]

In December 2024, rival operator Reliance announced that all four of their public service routes (30, 31X, 40 and 74), as well as two school routes, will be sold to and taken over by Transdev on 19 January 2025. Eleven buses were also included in the sale. The buses and routes subsequently began operation with Transdev under the York & Country brand. ^{[11] [12] [13]}

Services and branding

Coastliner

For more information about this service, see Yorkshire Coastliner bus routes 840 and 843.

A Wright Eclipse Gemini 2 bodied Volvo B9TL in Malton, operating service 840 in March 2023

The Coastliner brand encompasses a group of regional services linking Leeds, Tadcaster and York with the towns and villages of Malton, Pickering and Thornton-le-Dale, and the coastal resorts of Scarborough and Whitby. Services are operated by a fleet of Wright Eclipse Gemini 2 bodied Volvo B9TL and Wright Gemini 3 bodied Volvo B5TL double-deck vehicles, branded in a two-tone blue livery. The vehicles include free WiFi, USB and wireless charging and audio-visual next stop announcements. ^{[14] [15]}

In May 2018, the 840 service, which runs between Leeds and Whitby, was voted as the "most scenic bus route in Britain" in an online poll. ^{[16] [17] [18] [19]}

Flyer

For more information about this service, see Flyer (bus service).

A Flyer Optare Versa in Harrogate, operating service A2 in August 2022

In September 2020, in partnership with Leeds Bradford Airport, Transdev Blazefield and West Yorkshire Combined Authority, the company commenced operation of a network services centring around the airport. Operations were transferred from former operator, Yorkshire Tiger, including a depot at Idle, West Yorkshire. Services 737, 747 and 757 were subsequently rebranded Flyer and renumbered A1 (Horsforth & Leeds), A2 (Bradford & Harrogate) and A3 (Bradford, Guiseley, Otley ^[20] & Shipley). ^{[21] [22] [23] [24] [25] [26]}

As of April 2022, services are operated by a fleet of Optare Versa single-deck vehicles, branded in a yellow and purple livery. The vehicles include free WiFi, USB charging ports, audio-visual next stop announcements and additional luggage storage. Some vehicles are also fitted with wireless chargers. These buses will be replaced by a fleet of 15 Mercedes-Benz Citaro hybrid electric single-deck vehicles, an order worth £4 million, which are expected to enter service by the end of 2024. ^{[27] [28] [29] [30]}

A York & Country Alexander Dennis Enviro200 MMC, operating service 25 in March 2023

York & Country

The York & Country brand encompasses local services operating in and around the cathedral city of York, with destinations including Acomb, Derwenthorpe, Fulford, Haxby and Rawcliffe. Services are operated by a fleet of Alexander Dennis Enviro200 MMC and Optare Versa single-deck vehicles branded in a two-tone blue livery, and also a fleet of Mellor Strata minibuses branded in a two-tone grey livery. ^[31]

A York City Sightseeing open-top Alexander Dennis Enviro400, in March 2023

York City Sightseeing

Upon the buyout of original franchise operators Top Line Travel in 2008, Yorkshire Coastliner run the York franchise of international tour bus company City Sightseeing. ^[32] Services are operated by a fleet of Alexander Dennis Enviro400 open-top double-deck vehicles and a Plaxton President bodied VDL DB250 open-top double-deck vehicle, branded in City Sightseeing's red livery. ^[33]

In 2014, the fleet used on York's sightseeing tours were converted to electric drivetrains by Magtec. This has been regarded to be the first time a double-decker bus had been converted to electric in the world. ^{[34] [35] [36]} However in 2020, these vehicles were replaced for ones that are diesel-operated. ^[33]

As of January 2025 ^[update] , the services operated and respective brands are:

Route	To	From	Via	Brand
14	Woodthorpe	Haxby	Askham Bar, York , Huntington & New Earswick	York & Country
19	Skelton	York	Rawcliffe & Clifton
19A
19X
20	Rawcliffe	Osbaldwick [a]	Clifton, Haxby, New Earswick, Huntington, Monks Cross & Heworth
24	Acomb	Fulford	York
25	Derwenthorpe		Heworth & York
30/30X	Thirsk	York	Sowerby, Birdforth, Thormanby, Raskelf, [b] Easingwold, Alne, Tollerton, Shipton, Skelton & Clifton
	Thirsk		Sowerby, Birdforth, Thormanby, Raskelf, Easingwold, Shipton, Skelton & Clifton
31X	Kirkbymoorside		Helmsley, Sproxton, Oswaldkirk, Ampleforth, Wass, Coxwold, Husthwaite, Easingwold, Shipton, Skelton & Clifton
40	Crayke or Easingwold		York Hospital, Clifton Moor, Wiggington, Sutton-on-the-Forest, Huby & Stillington
74	Grassington		Threshfield, Burnsall, Barden, Bolton Abbey, Addingham, Ilkley , Burley-in-Wharfedale , Otley , Spacey Houses, Oatlands, Harrogate , Knaresborough , Kirk Hammerton & Upper Poppleton
840	Leeds	Thornton-le-Dale or Whitby	Seacroft , Tadcaster, Copmanthorpe, Askham Bar, York , Heworth, Stockton-on-the-Forest, Malton , Eden Camp, Kirby Misperton, [c] Pickering, Goathland, Sleights & Ruswarp	Yorkshire Coastliner
843	Leeds	Scarborough	Seacroft , Tadcaster, Copmanthorpe, Askham Bar, York , Heworth, Stockton-on-the-Forest, Malton , Rillington, Sherburn, Staxton & Seamer
A1	Leeds	Leeds Bradford Airport	Burley, Kirkstall, Horsforth , Rawdon & Yeadon	Flyer
A2	Bradford	Harrogate	Greengates, Apperley Bridge, Rawdon, Yeadon, Leeds Bradford Airport , Pool-in-Wharfedale, Huby, North Rigston, Spacey Houses & Oatlands
A3		Otley	Manningham, Frizinghall, Shipley , Guiseley , Yeadon, Leeds Bradford Airport & Pool-in-Wharfedale

Former services and brands

CityZap

A CityZap branded Wright Eclipse Gemini bodied Volvo B7TL in York, in April 2016

The CityZap brand was introduced on 27 March 2016 as a limited-stop express service running directly between York and Leeds via the A64, A1(M) and M1. The service aimed to attract motorists by offering a faster journey compared to the company's Coastliner service, with journeys taking around 45 minutes between the cities compared to over an hour on the Coastliner, and to provide a competitive alternative to the railway. ^{[37] [38] [39] [40]} As of April 2022, the service operated daily, with an hourly frequency during the day. There was no early morning or evening service. ^[d] The initial success of the route led to the launch of a second CityZap service between Leeds and Manchester, operated by sister company The Burnley Bus Company. ^{[41] [42]}

The service was notable for its use of sat-nav equipment to choose the quickest route and avoid congestions. ^[39]

The service initially ran with a fleet of five Wright Eclipse Gemini bodied Volvo B7TL double-deck vehicles. The vehicles were branded for the route in a silver/red livery, and featured free WiFi and USB charging outlets. ^[39] In June 2019, a fleet of five brand new double-deck Wright StreetDeck vehicles were ordered, ^{[43] [44]} however this order was subsequently cancelled in favour of four brand new double-deck Alexander Dennis Enviro400MMC vehicles – an investment of £1.4 million. In December 2020, the new Enviro400MMC fleet entered service. The vehicles included free WiFi, USB and wireless charging outlets, tables, and audio-visual next stop announcements. ^{[45] [46]}

The CityZap service ceased operations on 19 November 2022, with Transdev Blazefield claiming the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic had made running the express service unsustainable. ^{[47] [48]}

Unibus

A Unibus Wright Renown bodied Volvo B10BLE, operating service 44 in September 2014

Unibus was the brand name of route 44, connecting York Station with the University of York.

In February 2012, Transdev purchased local services that were operated by York Pullman at the time, including the operation of the Unibus branded service 44, ^[49] as well as the ub.1 campus shuttle.^{[ citation needed ]} Shortly after, the route received a refreshed fleet, including the introduction of single-deck Wright Renown bodied Volvo B10BLEs and double-deck Plaxton President bodied Volvo B7TLs to the fleet, as well as the purchase of an Optare Solo SR EV minibus.^{[ citation needed ]}

In July 2015, with the contract for the Unibus services being awarded to First York, Transdev entered into a bus war with First by continuing to run the route 44 on a commercial basis, rivalling First's new 66 service to the university. ^[50] Shortly after, Transdev announced that the route 44 will run 24 hours a day and 7 days a week from autumn 2015, which was regarded as the first bus route in York to do so. ^[51] The Wright Renowns were also upgraded to include a USB charging zone.^{[ citation needed ]} However, in December 2016, the 44 service was withdrawn, with Transdev stating "lots of other buses running along the route, often copying what we do [...] has made life very difficult for us". ^{[52] [53]}

Fleet and operations

Depots

As of January 2025, the company operates from two depots: Idle (Bradford) and Rawcliffe (York), as well as an outstation in Malton.

Vehicles

A selection of historic buses and liveries/brands previously used by Yorkshire Coastliner

As of May 2021, the fleet consists of 57 buses. The fleet consists mainly of diesel-powered mini, single and double-deck buses manufactured by Mellor, Optare, Alexander Dennis, Wrightbus, and one open top bus manufactured by Plaxton. ^[54]

Fleet No.	Vehicle	Livery	Depot
66–67	Mellor Strata/Mercedes-Benz Sprinter	Transdev Go	Rawcliffe
210–293	Optare Versa	Flyer	Idle
		Transdev Go	Idle
		York & Country	Rawcliffe
751–755	Alexander Dennis Enviro 200 MMC	York & Country	Rawcliffe
582–583		Reliance	Rawcliffe
1773	Volvo B7RLE/Wright Eclipse 2	Reliance	Rawcliffe
1774	Volvo B8RLE/Wright Eclipse 3
1901–1902	Volvo B8RLE/MCV Evora
2410	Volvo B9TL/Wright Gemini 1	Reliance (ex-Lothian)
2421–2780	Volvo B9TL/Wright Gemini 2	Yorkshire Coastliner	Malton & Rawcliffe
3629–3644	Volvo B5TL/Wright Gemini 3
4001–4006	Alexander Dennis Enviro 400	York City Sightseeing	Rawcliffe
4007	DAF DB250LF/Plaxton President

Notes

1. Most journeys terminate at Monks Cross.
2. Some journeys operate via Raskelf.
3. Kirby Misperton is only served by journeys terminating at Thornton-le-Dale.
4. During times where CityZap did not operate, services 840 and 843 operated as an alternative between Leeds and York, with services running via Copmanthorpe, Tadcaster and Seacroft.

References

1. "Our new electric buses". Transdev. 16 August 2023. Archived from the original on 17 August 2023. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
2. "York City goes suburban". Commercial Motor . 21 December 1989. p. 16.
3. "Rider takes control". Commercial Motor . 26 July 1990. p. 19.
4. "AJS sells remaining bus firms". Commercial Motor . 8 August 1991. p. 16.
5. "Transdev acquires Blazefield Group". Bus & Coach Professional. 7 January 2006. Archived from the original on 29 October 2013. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
6. Briggs, Ian (9 January 2006). "A new stop for Blazefield". Yorkshire Post . Archived from the original on 15 April 2016. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
7. "Blazefield expands with York deal". Bus & Coach Professional. 4 June 2008. Archived from the original on 30 October 2013. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
8. Liptrot, Katie (4 February 2012). "York bus firm sells vehicles to rival". York Press . Retrieved 21 April 2022.
9. "Transdev buys York Pullman's bus ops". Coach & Bus Week. 7 February 2012. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
10. Dougall, Emily (13 February 2018). "Transdev York awarded former Stephensons contracts". Coach & Bus Week. Retrieved 7 May 2022.
11. "Reliance Motor Services in routes and vehicles sale to Transdev". Route One Magazine. 9 December 2024. Retrieved 9 December 2024.
12. Peat, Chris (9 December 2024). "Transdev acquiring Reliance buses and routes". Bus & Coach Buyer. Retrieved 9 December 2024.
13. "York bus routes which have run for 94 years bought out by company". York Press . 9 December 2024. Retrieved 9 December 2024.
14. Cole, David (13 December 2016). "Coastliner upgrades". Bus & Coach Buyer. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
15. "High-spec' boost for Britain's 'most scenic' local bus route". Routeone. 19 September 2018. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
16. Wearn, Rebecca (27 May 2018). "Britain's 'most scenic' bus route revealed". BBC News . Retrieved 21 April 2022.
17. "Yorkshire bus route is named the most scenic in Britain". Yorkshire Post . 28 May 2018. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
18. "'Britain's Most Scenic Bus Route' named". Routeone. 28 May 2018. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
19. Kirby, Dean (28 May 2018). "Passengers say this Yorkshire bus route to Whitby is the most scenic in Britain". i . Retrieved 21 April 2022.
20. "Timetable | Metro". www.wymetro.com. Retrieved 8 August 2022.
21. Jenkinson, Keith (24 September 2020). "Tiger quits Bradford". Buses . No. 787. p. 31.
22. Dougall, Emily (8 September 2020). "Transdev Flyer takes off to Leeds Bradford Airport". Coach & Bus Week . Retrieved 21 April 2022.
23. "Transdev launches Flyer buses, connecting Yorkshire with Leeds Bradford Airport". Harrogate Informer. 3 September 2020. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
24. Chalmers, Graham (1 September 2020). "New Flyer buses to 'revolutionise' Harrogate passengers' travel at Leeds Bradford airport". Harrogate Advertiser. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
25. "Transdev Flyer airport venture takes to the roads in Yorkshire". Routeone. 2 September 2020. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
26. Peat, Chris (1 September 2020). "Transdev's Flyer takes off". Bus & Coach Buyer. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
27. Team, routeone (15 July 2024). "Transdev chooses Mercedes-Benz Citaro hybrid for Flyer services". routeone. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
28. Chalmers, Graham (15 July 2024). "New £4 million bus fleet is announced for key Harrogate bus route by Transdev". Harrogate Advertiser. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
29. "Transdev announces 15 new buses for airport Flyer bus". thestrayferret.co.uk. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
30. "New £4m hybrid buses coming to FLYER". Transdev. 15 July 2024. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
31. "Quick Enviro200 delivery gets new Transdev services in York on the road". Alexander Dennis . 9 September 2019. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
32. "Tour bus change just the ticket". York Press. 1 June 2008. Retrieved 17 July 2023.
33. "New fleet for City Sightseeing York". Bus & Coach Buyer. 18 August 2020. Retrieved 17 July 2023.
34. YorkMix (3 September 2014). "World's first electric double decker bus launched in York". YorkMix. Retrieved 17 July 2023.
35. "York sightseeing bus becomes world first | TheBusinessDesk.com". Yorkshire. 5 September 2014. Retrieved 17 July 2023.
36. "York City Sightseeing fleet now fully electric". Bus & Coach Buyer. 21 May 2015. Retrieved 17 July 2023.
37. Smith, Jade (28 March 2017). "Traversing cities and coastlines". CBW. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
38. "Boost for buses as York rail strikes hit commuters". York Press. 27 June 2022. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
39. "Transdev launches new express services between York and Leeds". Coach & Bus Week . 21 March 2016. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
40. "CityZap unveiled". Bus & Coach Buyer. 24 March 2016. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
41. "Transdev goes for second Zap and ups route 36". Buses . No. 752. 19 November 2017. p. 13.
42. Dougall, Emily (14 November 2017). "Transdev launches new Leeds-Manchester Cityzap express". Coach & Bus Week . Retrieved 21 April 2022.
43. Deakin, Tim (17 June 2019). "Transdev's £3.5m orders from ADL and Wrightbus". routeone. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
44. Williams, Mark (18 June 2019). "Transdev buys British". Bus & Coach Buyer. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
45. Lewis, Haydn (11 December 2020). "Paul Hudson lends his voice to new CityZap buses in York". York Press . Retrieved 16 June 2021.
46. Snowdon, Ros (31 January 2021). "Investment in luxury 'Sky Class' buses between Leeds and York set to boost region's recovery". Yorkshire Post . Retrieved 21 April 2022.
47. "Cityzap zaps for the final time on 19 November" (Press release). Harrogate: Transdev Blazefield. 21 September 2022. Retrieved 21 September 2022.
48. Cooper, Joe (22 September 2022). "Anger as popular York to Leeds express bus faces the axe". YorkshireLive. Retrieved 22 September 2022.
49. Liprot, Kate (4 February 2012). "York Pullman sells vehicles to Veolia Transdev". York Press. Archived from the original on 20 September 2012.
50. "Bus wars loom in York, as rivals go head-to-head". York Press. 3 July 2015. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
51. "First 24/7 bus service launched in York". York Press. 31 July 2015. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
52. "Unibus withdraws the No 44 service in bus wars". York Press. 16 October 2016. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
53. "Unibus withdrawal - Student home, University of York". www.york.ac.uk. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
54. "A blazing fleet". Coach & Bus Week . No. 1284. 28 March 2017. p. 58.

External links

• Media related to Yorkshire Coastliner (bus company) at Wikimedia Commons
• Transdev Blazefield Limited and Transdev York Limited on Companies House
• Transdev York & Country website