New ticket may ease parking problems (From Keighley News)

New ticket may ease parking problems

9:30am Thursday 30th April 2009 in Aire By Keighley News reporter

A new Metro season ticket allowing cheaper rail travel from Skipton to Leeds could diffuse car-parking problems in Steeton, it is hoped.

Members of the Steeton and Silsden Joint Transport Working Group have long suspected that commuters from Skipton were parking at Steeton railway station to take advantage of a Metrocard deal.

The boundary for the cheaper Metrocard travel is currently Steeton station.

Residents have long complained about commuters parking in the village’s streets and station car park from morning rush hour, to the detriment of others wanting to park during the day.

A new Metro trial season ticket offer, beginning on May 17, has made Skipton a “Zone 7”, meaning rail passengers can travel from Skipton to Leeds at a cheaper rate.

The move comes after years of political pressure to extend the boundaries of the popular Metrocard scheme.

Commuters will be given the option of paying slightly extra to upgrade their point-to-point ticket from Skipton to Leeds to one allowing them to travel between their town and anywhere in the Metro region.

Craven ward district councillor Andrew Mallinson, who chairs the Joint Transport Working Group, said: “Only time will tell if this new Metro ticket will ease the car parking system.”