When’s the last time you got the bus? There’s never been a better time to jump back on board.
Did you know that going car-free saves an average of 2.04 tonnes of CO2 per person annually? And that’s not the only reason to make a change. Bus travel is often cheaper than going by car and lets you reclaim your commute, giving you time to focus on the things you love, whether that’s scrolling the tabloids or reading a book. With that in mind, maybe it’s time to rethink your ride and get back to your bus hopping glory days…
Get a £2 single on any First West Yorkshire bus
No matter how far you travel, you can get a single ticket on any First West Yorkshire bus for just £2 (or £1.40 after 7pm). That means you can explore for mere pocket money – do a spontaneous commute when the weather turns, treat yourself to a day out on the weekend – try it, you might like it. And because it’s a blanket £2 price across all single-trip journeys, you can go somewhere further afield, like Wetherby (X99), Otley (X84) or Bradford (X11).
Make your commute a little more sustainable
© Copyright Leeds-List 2022 by Ellie Hodgson
Bus travel is quickly becoming one of the most sustainable ways to travel in Leeds. First Bus has invested in a fleet of entirely electric and ultra-low emission hybrid buses that reduce CO2 emission. Plus, they’ve just placed one of the biggest orders of electric (EV) vehicles ever made in the UK. Leeds is one of five cities that will benefit when they’re rolled out in March 2023, taking First Bus one step closer to their Zero Emission Mission pledge.
Choose a ticket as flexible as your work pattern
Whether you’re working from home, trying out hybrid working or back in the office full time, Leeds City Buses has a ticket for that. Their £20 FirstWeek and £75 FirstMonth tickets make regular travel affordable, but if you don’t travel every day, you might be able to save money with a Flexi ticket. You can now spread three days travel across five days for £13.50, five days travel across eight days for £18 or 13 days travel across 30 days for £52.
Get the best of both worlds with the Park & Ride
Whether you live further afield or need to drop the kids at school before work, there’s a middle ground that lets you benefit from the ease, convenience and affordability of the bus, without giving up the freedom of your car. That’s right, we’re talking about the city’s three Park & Ride services. It’s free to park and a day ticket is just £3, so sit back, relax and enjoy the ride as you swap city centre traffic for dedicated bus lanes.
Plug in and connect to the onboard wifi
These days, we’re plugged in 24/7. From checking the score on the latest Leeds game to texting your mates, whipping off work emails and doing a little online shopping, your commute doesn’t have to be a chore anymore. Instead, your downtime starts as soon as you find a seat. The onboard wifi means you don’t have to dance around your data limit, and with USB charging sockets built into the seat, there’s no risk of running out of juice on your ride.
Plan your journey in a jiffy with maps, apps & more
Getting back onboard is easier than ever. You can plan your journey in seconds, on the app or online. It’ll help you find your nearest bus stop, tell you which bus to get and even let you know when the next one is due. But that’s not all. When you’re out and about, you’ll see the tell-tale signs of the new Leeds Core Bus Network. Lines are colour coded and named to make it easier for you to find the one you want – and there’s a new map too!
Get unlimited travel for the absolute cheapest price
© Copyright Leeds-List 2022 by Ellie Hodgson
There’s a new way to pay for your monthly bus ticket. Now you can set up a direct debit and get unlimited travel for the absolute cheapest price. Instead of the usual price of £75, your monthly ticket will cost just £71 a month. That’s a saving of £4 a month and £48 a year. You can buy your West Yorkshire Adult First Unlimited Ticket (direct debit) online – payment will be taken monthly and your mTicket will automatically activate on your renewal date.
Download the app and make everything effortless
© Copyright Leeds-List 2022 by Oliver Dixon Photography
The First Bus app is a little lifesaver. It’s got all your journey planning needs covered with an easy search and save system that lets you find your closest stop and save it for later, so you can get real-time travel information, on-the-go. Plus, you can buy your tickets in app when you need them or in advance – there’s even a nifty ‘buy again’ to save you time. Just activate your ticket, scan it onboard, and hey presto, you’ve got your commute sorted.
Explore the city one stop at a time
The great thing about Leeds City Buses is that you can travel all over. Hop on the bus to Temple Newsam and hot-foot it through the treetops at Go Ape. Nip out to Ilkley Moor for a day of stunning views and calf-building rambles. Take a ride out to Seacroft and tackle the almighty obstacles of Ninja Warrior. There are loads of adventures right on your doorstep, and with unlimited travel on a FirstDay ticket, now for just £4.50, the city is your oyster!
Tap on Tap off for the ultimate in convenience
© Copyright Leeds-List 2022 by Amy Heycock
Don’t want to think about tickets? Just want to pay for what you use? You’re going to love Tap on Tap off. It’s the new way to pay on Leeds City Buses. Simply tap your card or mobile when you get onboard, then do the same when you get off. They’ll automatically calculate your fare based on how far you travel and how many trips you make, up to a max of £4.50 a day. It refreshes every Monday, and the more you travel during the week, the more you save.
