Council steps in to save bus service between Rawcliffe Bridge and Goole

East Riding of Yorkshire Council has stepped in to provide an alternative bus service between Rawcliffe Bridge and Goole following the withdrawal of a commercial bus service which is due to end this week.

The council has agreed to fund a replacement Service 88 bus to make sure residents in Rawcliffe Bridge will not be left without a bus service. Since transport firm First axed its connection between Thorne and Goole in September 2015, East Yorkshire Motor Services have been running Service 88 on a commercial basis.

But EYMS announced it would no longer be able to run the service between Thorne and Goole, via Rawcliffe Bridge, from Saturday 3 February as low passenger numbers meant it was no longer financially viable for the firm. Now the council can announce it will be funding a service between Rawcliffe Bridge and Goole, via Rawcliffe, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays starting on Monday 5 February.

The bus will leave Rawcliffe Bridge on those days at 09.30am, arriving in Goole at 09.50am. The return journey will leave Goole at 12.30pm.

The new Service 88 will be operated by EYMS, which won the council’s tender.

Councillor John Barrett, portfolio holder for operational services at East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said: “The council had no part in the cancellation of the commercial bus service but we have stepped in to make sure the residents of Rawcliffe Bridge are not left without a regular bus.

“Over the past few years the council’s transport team has put a lot of work into trying to ensure this service is kept running even though passenger numbers have been less than hoped for. Our new service will maintain an important link between Rawcliffe Bridge and Goole for shopping and key services and we hope residents will support it.”

The council understands Goole College is making alternative arrangements for their students from Thorne, Moorends and Rawcliffe Bridge for the remainder of the current academic year.

Residents in Rawcliffe can continue to travel to Goole on Arriva’s services 400/401 which are unaffected by these changes.

The new Service 88 timetable is as follows:

Monday, Wednesday & Friday

Rawcliffe Bridge 0930

Goole North Street 1230

Rawcliffe Green 0935

Goole Interchange 1232

Goole College 0947

Goole College 1236

Goole Interchange 0950

Rawcliffe Green 1247

Rawcliffe Bridge 1252