A BOOST is on its way from this weekend as a bus operator prepares to run more buses on two key routes.

The Keighley Bus Company is working in partnership with North Yorkshire Council to deliver the improvements on its route 64 linking Ilkley, Addingham and Draughton with Skipton, and also on route 72 between Skipton, Cracoe, Threshfield and Grassington.

It’s hoped the enhanced timetables, which launch on Sunday, April 7, will encourage more people to leave the car at home and take the bus for shopping and leisure trips to Skipton and Ilkley.

The boosted service to and from Grassington is expected to prove popular with walkers and sightseers visiting the Dales town, better known to millions as Darrowby in Channel 5’s ‘All Creatures Great and Small’ series, based on the books of vet turned author James Herriot.

 Jim Craven, The Keighley Bus Company’s general manager, said: “With the success of the Government-supported £2 fare cap and our own award-winning campaign to encourage concessionary pass holders to get out and about by bus, we’ve been able to work in partnership with North Yorkshire Council to increase the frequency of routes 64 and 72.

“The 64 currently runs roughly every two hours between Ilkley and Skipton, while the new timetable will see a bus every hour to provide a more frequent service and regular departure times, making it easier for everyone to use and enjoy.

“On the 72, our timetable will be back up to what it was at the beginning of 2023, again with a bus every hour across the day – while easy connections will continue to be available at Grassington National Park Centre with buses serving Kilnsey, Kettlewell and Buckden in Upper Wharfedale.

“We’re sure the increased services will be welcome news for our customers and for the local economy in Ilkley, Skipton, Grassington and the villages.”