York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority (YNYCA) has become the newest Member of the Urban Transport Group (UTG), the UK’s network of transport authorities.
UTG’s membership now stands at 15 transport authorities, the largest in the organisation’s history – with 9 Principal Members (the highest tier of membership) and six Members. YNYCA joins as a Member.
YNYCA, the single body created by the City of York Council and North Yorkshire Council, was established in February 2024. It is led by David Skaith, who was elected Mayor of York and North Yorkshire in May 2024. YNYCA covers the city of York, towns such as Harrogate, Selby and Scarborough, and more rural areas of North Yorkshire.
Mayor Skaith recognises public transport as a vital enabler for growth. His ambition is to establish an integrated transport network that works for everyone in York and North Yorkshire and delivers against five key priorities – healthier travel, accessible for everyone, enhance safety, protect our environment, and support economic growth.
In March, Mayor Skaith signed a new White Rose Agreement (together with the Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin and South Yorkshire’s Mayor Oliver Coppard) to champion Yorkshire and work across shared priorities, including rail connectivity and bus services. Yorkshire’s Plan for Rail, published in May 2025, is the first product of that collaboration. Mayor Skaith is also part of The Great North, a new partnership of Northern Mayors launched in May to unlock jobs, opportunity and prosperity for the North.
One of the region’s challenges is its predominantly rural geography. Earlier this month, it was announced that York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority would be among the first places to build the foundations for working rural bus franchising models, leading studies into how bus services operate across urban, rural and coastal communities, leading the way for other rural areas.
David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, said:
“For too long public transport has not been good enough for so many communities in our region.
“I am determined to fix it and joining the Urban Transport Group will be key. It will give us direct access to the group’s knowledge and experience at a key time, as we build the transport network that York and North Yorkshire deserves.
“We’re already leading the way nationally on rural bus franchising – and we’ll bring what we’re learning across our rural, urban and coastal areas to the table.
“Together we will make public transport more affordable, more accessible and more reliable for everyone. That means connecting people to jobs, education and each other and reducing our environmental impact.”
Jason Prince, Director of the Urban Transport Group, said:
“We’re delighted to welcome York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority as a Member. With its ambitions for a better connected, accessible and affordable integrated transport network, this is the opportune time for YNYCA to become part of our network of transport authorities, which continues to go from strength to strength. We look forward to working together to improve transport across this key region of England.”