A new weekend bus service has been launched to take passengers to the Spurn National Nature Reserve.
East Riding of Yorkshire Council is funding the new service called the Spurn Explorer, which will run on Saturdays and Sundays between March and November, in partnership with Yorkshire Wildlife Trust.
The Saturday bus starts on 23 March and will be a brand new service operated by East Yorkshire Buses.
It will take passengers initially from Hull Interchange (via Hedon and Thorngumbald) and later in the day from Patrington (via Easington and Kilnsea) to the Spurn Discovery Centre, and return journeys.
The Sunday bus service is a seasonal extension to an all-year service already funded by the council, which runs between Withernsea and Easington.
Again operated by East Yorkshire Buses, the service will now travel to the Spurn Discovery Centre from March to November, starting on Sunday 24 March.
The council has contracted the services as part of the £4.2m in funding it was awarded over two years through the Government’s Bus Service Improvement Plan.
Councillor Paul West, the council’s cabinet member for environment and transport, said: “I’m pleased we can launch this Spurn Explorer bus service to take passengers to one of the East Riding’s most attractive and important nature reserves.
“We are making it easier for people to travel to this wonderful site and to discover this gem for themselves.”
Carl Lewis, Humber operations manager at Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, said: “We are absolutely delighted that East Riding of Yorkshire Council and East Yorkshire Buses have worked with our reserve officer to launch the new bus service, and extend the existing service, as far as Spurn National Nature Reserve as part of the new Spurn Explorer bus.
“Spurn is a truly incredible reserve with so much to see for absolutely everyone; whether you’re a wildlife enthusiast, a history buff, love a beach walk and the views from the lighthouse, or just want some bracing Yorkshire air. Although dogs cannot come on to the reserve, we even have alternative signposted walks for visitors to enjoy – and our fantastic café and visitor centre is open to everyone once you’re done.
“The trust wants more people to have meaningful connections with nature and this new bus service will make it easier for people between Hull and Easington to reach this incredible destination on their doorstep – and in a more environmentally responsible way.”
*The cafe at Spurn National Nature Reserve is running an offer for the first four weeks of the new bus runs. It is offering a free tea or coffee with any cake/sandwich purchased upon presentation of a Spurn Explorer bus ticket.
