DalesBus explained

DalesBus is a bus network serving the Yorkshire Dales managed by Dales and Bowland Community Interest Company, a volunteer-run subsidiary of the Yorkshire Dales Society.

Services are funded by several organisations, including the National Trust, North Yorkshire Council, West Yorkshire Metro, Yorkshire Dales National Park, Yorkshire Water and community groups. Over 30,000 passengers used the network in 2019/20^[1], increasing to over 56,000^[2] in 2024/25. DalesBus services operate at weekends and on bank holidays, some run year-round, whilst others run summer-only.^[3] They run into and around the Yorkshire Dales area, including the Yorkshire Dales National Park and Nidderdale National Landscape.

DalesBus Ramblers organise a programme of guided walks in the Yorkshire Dales accessible by DalesBus and other bus and train services.^[4]

History

The service began in 2007 with a single route between Ilkley and Skipton.^[5]

Controversy

In 2015, North Yorkshire County Council withdrew English National Concessionary Travel Scheme (ENCTS) payments for some of these services, regarding them as only for "tourist use" and therefore outside of statutory provision.^[6] In the following year, Lancashire County Council made the decision to follow suit, citing similar reasons to do so.^[7] In December 2025 North Yorkshire Council advised that all DalesBus services would be included in the ENCTS on a discretionary basis.^[8]

Services and operators

As of 2025, the following services are operated under the DalesBus brand.^[9]

In popular culture

In 2016, route 830's commentary free journey through Swaledale, was an episode of television series BBC Four Goes Slow entitled All Aboard! The Country Bus.^[10] The episode saw a series record audience of 800,000.^[11]

External links

• website
• DalesBus Ramblers

Notes and References

1. Web site: 13 June 2020 . Annual Report and Statement of Community Interest Delivery 2019–20 . 7 May 2022 . Dales & Bowland CIC . 30 September 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200930141832/https://www.dalesbus.org/uploads/1/1/3/9/113919127/dales_and_bowland_cic_annual_report_2019-20.pdf . live .
2. Web site: Annual Report 2024-25 . 2025-12-09 . DalesBus - Public Transport in the Yorkshire Dales . en.
3. News: 28 March 2018 . Why the value of rural bus services cannot be overstated in our National Parks . . 15 July 2018 . 16 July 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180716024956/https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/why-the-value-of-rural-bus-services-cannot-be-overstated-in-our-national-parks-1-9084831 . live .
4. Web site: Dalesbus ramblers . Dalesbus . 1 December 2022 . 1 December 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221201102918/https://www.dalesbus.org/dalesbusramblers.html . live .
5. Web site: 25 August 2013 . DalesBus service shortlisted in National Transport Awards . 7 May 2022 . . 4 May 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240504180248/https://www.cravenherald.co.uk/news/10625757.dalesbus-service-shortlisted-in-national-transport-awards/ . live .
6. Web site: 3 January 2015 . Colin Speakman: Devolution key to transport’s brighter future . 7 May 2022 . . 19 September 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210919172227/https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/opinion/columnists/colin-speakman-devolution-key-transports-brighter-future-1827399 . live .
7. Web site: 4 April 2016 . OAP bus pass ban 'could lead to end of scheme' . 7 May 2022 . Lancaster Guardian . 4 May 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240504180249/https://www.lancasterguardian.co.uk/news/oap-bus-pass-ban-could-lead-to-end-of-scheme-661257 . live .
8. Web site: Special Fares . 2025-12-15 . DalesBus - Public Transport in the Yorkshire Dales . en.
9. Web site: 18 April 2025 . DalesBus Timetable Booklet . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220522132156/https://www.dalesbus.org/timetable.html . 22 May 2022 . 6 May 2022 . DalesBus.
10. News: Spring Walks review – not even a trampolining goat can save this feelbad TV. Stuart. Jeffries. 6 February 2023. 7 February 2023. The Guardian. 6 February 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230206233617/https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2023/feb/06/spring-walks-review-not-even-a-trampolining-goat-can-save-this-feelbad-tv. live.
11. News: Foster . Patrick . 30 August 2016 . 'Slow TV' bus tour of Yorkshire Dales drives nearly a million viewers to BBC Four . . 1 April 2022 . 0307-1235 . 29 November 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221129005422/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/08/30/slow-tv-bus-tour-of-yorkshire-dales-drives-nearly-a-million-view2/ . live .