First York and TransPennine Express launch integrated student ticket

First Group plc, the UK’s leading transport operator, is utilising its bus and rail network to launch an integrated travel ticket for students in York.

Credit: First York

This has been launched in partnership between First York and TransPennine Express (TPE) for students studying at the University of York and will allow students to travel on TPE rail services between Leeds and York and all First York bus services.

Its aim is to encourage students to travel by public transport by making ticketing simpler and cheaper – the new ticket will cost £480, which is a 62% saving on separate season tickets offered by the operators (equating to nearly £300).

“We’re pleased to be working in partnership with TransPennine Express to launch a new integrated term-time ticket for students,” said Marc Bichtemann, Managing Director at First York. “We hope that the new rail and bus ticket will encourage more students to consider using local transport as their preferred mode of travel to get in and around York.”

This is the first initiative to be launched by TransPennine Express and First York, as the travel operators aim to make travel easier for customers, but to also attract new passengers by promoting the benefits that public transport can offer.

“Together with First York, we’re thrilled to have created this new integrated ticket providing excellent value for money for students travelling between Leeds and York,” added James Cohen, Head of Revenue Management for TransPennine Express. “We’ve made a commitment to take the North further which includes supporting young people and the next generation of talent from across our communities.”

The new ticket launched on 1 April 2017 and is available as a season ticket for students studying at the University of York.