Service 18

EYMS operated their mostly commercial 'version' of service 18 between Market Weighton, Holme On Spalding Moor, Bubwith, North Duffield, Wheldrake, York Designer Outlet, Fulford and York for the last time on Saturday 5th May. They had taken the previously tendered service on in April 2014, and provided a Monday to Saturday daytime service every two hours (occasionally more frequent) along with a limited Friday and Saturday evening service. EYMS extended service 46 between York and Market Weighton to Holme On Spalding Moor as a partial replacement.

It has been left to local council's to step in to replace the rest of the 18 - though in fairness to EYMS the 18 had been a fully subsidised route until they took on some of the commercial risk four years ago. East Riding of Yorkshire Council (ERYC), North Yorkshire Council and City of York Council have funded a far more limited service than what was previously provided, still operated by EYMS. There are journeys Monday to Saturday from Holme on Spalding Moor into York at 0705 (0710 Sat), from North Duffield into York at 0945 and 1120, from Wheldrake into York at 1321, and Bubwith into York at 1645. In the reverse direction departures from York operate at 0900 and 1035 to North Duffield, at 1235 to Wheldrake, at 1540 to Bubwith and at 1745 to Holme On Spalding Moor. This is a very basic service, and apart from at peak times, avoids any overlap with the 46, quite sensibly in some ways with one bus trying to cover what two (I think) did before. Unfortunately Bubwith doesn't have a convenient shopping link in this timetable.

It's not quite as limited as this though. Monday to Friday ERYC have also been directly operating some connecting services into EYMS's 18; 0924 and 1059 from Holme On Spalding Moor to North Duffield, returning at 0945 and 1120, and then 1224 from Holme On Spalding Moor to Wheldrake, returning at 1300.

As well as this shuttle, a Friday and Saturday evening service is also provided, operated by EYMS, departing Holme On Spalding Moor for York at 1855, and returning from York at 2300 - I believe this is funded by parish council's. Average loading information published for the 18's previous timetable by City of York Council indicates the evening service loads quite well.

Going by some of the village facebook groups it seems that there will soon be a new  slightly improved 18 timetable, minus the ERYC shuttle bus and with more through service to/from Holme On Spalding Moor. Evening services look set to remain dependent on parish council contributions again.