The Venturer is going for its annual major service and MoT this week, so we will be running an NYCC school bus instead from Monday lunchtime to Friday lunchtime
The Upper Wharfedale Venturer is a community local bus service which provides the 72B service four times per day in each direction on school days (when it is supplemented by the NYCC provided 72A service) and five times per day on Saturdays and school holidays. Buses connect with the Grassington / Skipton bus at Grassington.
Monday 15th April - Service resumed from Tuesday morning
The Venturer has been repaired, and normal service will be resumed tomorrow morning - Tuesday 16th April
Monday 15th April - Service suspended today due to breakdown
The 72B Venturer service will not be running today due to a breakdown. There is no replacement vehicle available. We apologise for any inconvenience. We will update here later regarding the service tomorrow.
Monday 8th April - New Timetables for Wharfedale Buses start today
Click here to download a copy of the new timetable for the 72, 72A, 72B (Venturer) and 74A services. Click here for a summary of the changes to the Venturer timetable.
Friday 22nd March - New Timetables for Wharfedale Buses from 8th April
The bus timetables are changing again following a decision by NYC and Keighley Bus Company to reinstate the Grassington to Skipton services which were axed in May 2023. This means that the 72B Venturer will change back to the timetable operated from Oct 2018 to May 2023 to align with the changed connection times in Grassington. The new timetable will be in operation from Monday 8th April. Click here to download a copy of the new timetable for the 72, 72A, 72B (Venturer) and 74A services. Click here for a summary of the changes to the Venturer timetable.
Thursday 8th February - Service suspended this afternoon due to snow
Due to deteriorating weather conditions updale, the 15.45 72B Venturer from Buckden to Grassington and the 16.25 to Buckden via Hebden will not run this afternoon (Thursday 8th February). We apologise for any inconvenience
Friday 19th January - Normal service restored (nearly)
The 72B Venturer service will be operating from Friday morning - 19th January - using a replacement bus. The service will run the normal school-days timetable on Friday. The bus is not equipped with a ticket machine or contactless reader so please have the correct change if possible. Please note that the bus will start and terminate at the entrance to Buckden car park, and will not pick up at the stop in the car park.
Thursday 18th January - Continued service disruption
There will be no 72B Venturer service again on Thursday unfortunately as the bus is still off the road and no replacement vehicle is available. Apologies again for the inconvenience
Tuesday 16th January - Continued service disruption
The 72B Upper Wharfedale Venturer service is not running today (Tues 16th Jan). The bus came back from the workshop last night, but is not working again this morning. It will have to go back to the workshop, and with no spare buses available, we are unable to run. We apologise for the continued disruption.
Monday 15th January - Service disruption
The 72B Upper Wharfedale Venturer service is not running today (Mon 15th Jan), as the bus has broken down and is being recovered. We are hoping to be able to run the service tomorrow as normal (weather permitting).
Christmas and New Year Holiday Services - Buckden - Grassington
There will be no bus service in the upper dale on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day. The 72B Venturer will operate the SSH (Saturday and School Holiday) service from Saturday 23rd December until Monday 8th January. Please note that from Wednesday 27th – Friday 28th December, UWB will run a Saturday timetable to link with the KBC 72 service to Skipton. The SD (School Days) services will resume on Tuesday 9th January. Click here for details
07-11-23 Upper Wharfedale Bus - The future
For the Venturer 72B service to survive in the longer term, we need more people from our Upper Wharfedale community to get involved in helping to operate the service . To read about the future of the service and how you can help, click here
03-09-23 - New Timetable on the 72B Venturer (and on the 72)
From Monday 4th September, the 72B Venturer there will be some minor will be changes to the timetable in order to align with the 72 Keighley Bus Company service new timetable which is making some changes on the same date. These changes are to improve punctuality of services, and improve connections.
From the same date, an additional 74A bus will run from Grassington to Hebden on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays providing an additional connection from Skipton at lunchtime.
To view the new timetable - click here. New printed timetables will be available during w/c 28th August and bus stop timetables will change on Sunday 3rd September.
The times of the 72A school-days only service are unchanged. The Autumn Term at Kettlewell School starts on Tuesday 5th September.
25-07-23 - Craven Herald article about the new Venturer
To read the Craven Herald feature about the new Venturer, please click here
13-06-23-23 - New Venturer goes into service today
After 7 years, almost 200,000 miles and some 8000 return trips down the dale carrying more than 60,000 passengers, the original Upper Wharfedale Venturer retired from service today. All the passengers on the last run of the old bus were treated to a free ride. The new bus is a Mercedes Sprinter EVM CityLine low-floor vehicle improving accessibility for passengers with limited mobility, as well as providing a quieter, more comfortable ride, improved passenger information and USB charging points for passengers. We look forward to seeing you on the new Venturer soon. More pics of the new bus are here https://bit.ly/3XQPBJB
03-05-23 - New Timetable on the 72B Venturer (and on the 72)
From Monday 22nd May, the 72B Venturer will be changing to a new timetable in order to align with the 72 Keighley Bus Company service new timetable which is changing on the same date.
On school days the first bus between Buckden and Grassington is marginally earlier and the last bus back to Buckden is 35 minutes later. There will be an additional return trip during the early afternoon with slight adjustments to all times. There will still be two trips a day to Hebden, but the times will change.
On Saturdays and school holidays the 08:25 return trip from Buckden will no longer run as the connecting 72 service to Skipton has been discontinued. The service will otherwise be the same as the new school days service, but with an additional trip at the end of day.
To view the new timetable - click here. New printed timetables will be available during w/c 15th May and bus stop timetables will change on Sunday 21st May
The times of the 72A school days only service are unchanged
25-03-23 - 72B Venturer service update - Saturday 25th March
We understand the B6160 is now open again. We will run the 72B 9:35 from Buckden & 10:15 from Grassington, but they may run a few minutes late. We expect the 11:20 and subsequent trips to run on time
25-03-23 - 72B Venturer service this morning - Saturday 25th March
The 72B Venturer will not be running the following services this morning: 8:25 & 9:35 trips from Buckden and the 9:00 and 10:15 trips from Grassington. This is due to the B6160 being blocked by an accident between Kilnsey and Long Ashes. We are hoping to be able to resume the service when the road reopens later today
10-03-23 - 72B service suspended this afternoon
The Venturer is not running this afternoon - Friday March 10th. We expect to be running as normal tomorrow
10-03-23 - 72B service suspended this morning due to snow
The 72B Venturer service will not run this morning (Friday 10th March) due to hazardous road conditions updale. The following trips are cancelled:
9:35 Buckden to Grassington
10:15 Grassington to Buckden
11.20 Buckden to Grassington
12.55 Grassington to Hebden
13.00 Hebden to Grassington
13:10 Grassington to Buckden
We will decide whether to run the afternoon service at lunchtime and post an update here. We apologise for any inconvenience.
02-01-23 - £2 Fare Cap on the Venturer
Upper Wharfedale Bus is pleased to announce that we will be participating in the national £2 Fare Cap promotion, which will run from January to March this year. A single fare on the 72B Venturer during this period will cost no more than £2, with return tickets capped at £4. Why not save money and help the environment, by leaving the car at home and using your local bus service? Click here for details
20-12-22 - Christmas and New Year Holiday Services - Buckden - Grassington
There will be no bus service in the upper dale on Sunday 25th and Monday 26th December, nor on Sunday 1st & Monday 2nd January. On Tuesday 27th December and Tuesday 2nd January there will be a Dalesbus 874 Sunday service. On the other days, the Venturer will be running the Saturday and School Holidays timetable. The School Days service will resume on Wednesday 4th January. Click here for details
12-09-22 - Monday 19th September - Bank Holiday Service
We will not be running the 72B Venturer service on Monday 19th as it has been classified as a Bank Holiday. Dalesbus are planning to run the 874 Sunday service that day. Their timetable is available at www.dalesbus.org
26-05-22 - Summer term half-term holiday services
Bus Services in Upper Wharfedale - w/c 30th May. Please note that, due to the Platinum Jubilee Bank Holidays, the 72B Upper Wharfedale Venturer will not be running on Thursday 2nd June and Friday 3rd June. The bus service will be provided by Dalesbus services 874 & 875 which will be operating a Sunday timetable. Services for the week will therefore be as follows: Mon, Tues. Weds & Sat: 72B Venturer (SSH School Holidays timetable) Thurs, Fri, Sun: Dalesbus 874 & 875
21-02-22 - Spring term half-term holiday services
As it is half-term this week in North Yorkshire the Venturer is running to the school holidays timetable from Monday 21st Feb to Friday 25th Feb.
24-11-21- Christmas Holiday Services
The Venturer will be running a normal school holidays service today (Christmas Eve). There will be no service on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and Monday & Tuesday of next week. Normal school holiday service from Wednesday 29th. There will be no service on New Year's Day, or on Bank Holiday Monday (3rd Jan). Tuesday 4th Jan will be school holidays timetable, with school days timetable starting again from Weds 5th. A very happy Christmas and New Year to all our passengers
11-09-21 - Job Vacancy - Part-time Paid driver
Upper Wharfedale Bus are seeking to recruit a part-time paid driver to drive the Venturer from the start of November. One and half days (~13.5 hours) per week. To download the job advert and details on how to apply, please click here. Please click here to download an application form
25-07-21 - School Holidays timetable from tomorrow for 6 weeks
The school summer holidays are here, and the Venturer will be running the extended school holidays timetable from tomorrow (Monday 26th July) until Tuesday 7th September. To see the timetable click here
17-07-21 Face-coverings still required on the Venturer after 19th July
In the light of the current high levels of Covid infection across the country, passengers will be required to continue to wear a mask when travelling on the 72B Venturer on or after Monday 19th July. This decision has been taken to protect our passengers and staff by mitigating as far as possible the risks identified in our updated risk management plan. It is also in line with the advice from the Transport Secretary that wearing masks on public transport is what the government “wanted and expected to happen”. This forms part of the "Conditions of Carriage" of Upper Wharfedale Bus C.I.C
19-06-21 Saturday 19th June - last service cancelled
Due to a problem with the bus, we are not able to run the 16:45 from Buckden and the 17:30 from Grassington today (Saturday). We apologise for any inconvenience.
18-06-21 Grassington Square Bus Stop suspended for 4 days
Due to the filming of “All Creatures Great and Small”, the bus stop in Grassington Square will not be in use on Friday 18th, Saturday 19th & Monday 21st June. Passengers wishing to catch the 72B Upper Wharfedale Venturer should go to the bus station at the National Park Centre at Colvend, or alternatively, to the bus stop near the medical centre. We apologise for any inconvenience.
12-06-21 Increased number of seats on Venturer
In response to increasing numbers of passengers wanting to travel, we have increased the number of seats on the Venturer to 11. This is in line with latest government advice. Please only use the additional seats if either a) the person in the adjacent seat is from your household or support bubble, or b) there are no other individual seats available
28-03-21 Upper Wharfedale School Holiday Timetable
The Venturer will be running the school holiday timetable from Monday 29th March to Monday 12th April inclusive. The timetable can be found here
28-03-21 Upper Wharfedale Bus Contract Extension
UWB have this week signed a further one-year contract extension with NYCC through to April 2022. NYCC expect to retender the service in Q4 202, for a further four years starting in April 2022.
28-03-21 Dalesbus Summer Services
Dalesbus are hoping to reinstate Summer Sunday and Bank Holiday timetable from 18th April, with generally similar times to previously. Both buses to Hawes will be double-deck operated to provide extra space, but the last return journey will be an hour earlier than usual so as to boost capacity on the busy 16.25 departure from Buckden. Arriva have withdrawn from all DalesBus services so these services will now be run by First Leeds, First York and York Pullman.
02-02-21 Service suspended due to snow
Due to current road conditions up the dale and Met Office warning of further snow and ice throughout the day, the 72B Venturer will not be running today - Tuesday 2nd February. We are sorry for any inconvenience.
31-01-21 Service update
We are conscious that in recent weeks there have been an unusual number of service interruptions due to both bad weather and technical problems with the Venturer itself. We are very sorry for the inconvenience this causes to our passengers . Our February service update provides some background on this - Click here to read
27-01-21 Service will be running this afternoon
The 72B Venturer has been repaired and the service will resume this afternoon. First bus will be the 12.55 to Hebden. Usual timetable for rest of day
27-01-21 Service not running currently due to technical fault
The 72B Venturer service is not running this morning (Wednesday) due to a technical fault. Update to follow once the vehicle is repaired. We are sorry for the inconvenience.
22-01-21 Service now running again
The 72B Venturer has now been repaired and the service will be running this afternoon. First bus down the dale will be the 14.35 from Buckden - first bus up the dale will be the 15:45 from Grassington
22-01-21 Service not running currently due to breakdown
The 72B Venturer service is not running this morning (Friday) due to a breakdown. Update to follow once the vehicle is repaired. We are sorry for the inconvenience.
16-01-21 Service running today (Saturday) from 9.35
The 72B Venturer will be running today - first bus down the dale will be the 9.35 from Buckden. First bus from Grassington will be the 10:15. Service is being provided for essential travel only during Lockdown
15-01-21 Service disruption on Saturday morning due to snow and ice
Due to current road conditions and Met Office warning of further snow and very low temperatures tonight, the 72B Venturer 8:25 from Buckden and 9.00 from Grassington will not run tomorrow (Saturday 16th Jan). Decision about later buses will be posted here tomorrow morning
14-01-21 Service suspended due to snow
Due to current road conditions up the dale and Met Office warning of further snow and ice throughout the day, the 72B Venturer will not be running today - Thursday 14th January. We are sorry for any inconvenience.
09-01-21 Normal service resumed
The 72B Venturer Service will be running as normal this afternoon (Saturday), unless the weather deteriorates significantly
09-01-21 Service disruption due to snow
First two return trips up and down the dale are cancelled this morning due to road conditions up the dale. The 11.20 72B Venturer service from Buckden to Grassington will run this morning (Saturday). We will confirm details of afternoon services at lunchtime
08-01-21 Service suspended due to snow
Due to current weather conditions up the dale and forecast of further snow to come we will not be running the 72B Venturer service today (Friday 8th January). We are sorry for any inconvenience
06-01-21 Service during Lockdown
The 72B Venturer will continue to operate to the usual timetable during lockdown. However the service is being run for ESSENTIAL TRAVEL ONLY. This means for education, essential shopping or medical needs, to provide care to a vulnerable person or to go to work where it is not possible to work from home. To help protect our drivers, other passengers and our community, please do not take the bus for any other reason.
05-01-21 Service suspended due to snow
Due to current weather conditions up the dale and forecast of further snow to come we will not be running the 72B Venturer service today (Tuesday 5th). We are sorry for any inconvenience
02-01-21 Service suspended due to snow
Due to weather conditions up the dale, we will not be running the 72B Venturer service this afternoon (Saturday 2nd January). The last bus will be the 13.10 from Grassington to Buckden. We are sorry for any inconvenience
24-12-2020 Service over Christmas & New Year
There will be no 72B Venturer service on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, Monday 28th December and New Years Day. Holiday timetable on other days up to and including Monday 4th January. Schooldays timetable will start again on Tuesday 5th Jan. Wishing all our passengers a happy and safe Christmas and New Year.
16-12-2020 Delayed start to service on 17/12/20 due to breakdown
72B UW Venturer will not be running the first (9.35) service from Buckden tomorrow morning (Thursday) as no replacement vehicle has been made available. We expect that the first bus will be the 11.20 from Buckden tomorrow morning. Update to follow tomorrow morning
16-12-2020 No service due to breakdown
72B Upper Wharfedale Venturer broken down this morning. Not running for rest of today (Wednesday). Should be running tomorrow as normal. Sorry for any inconvenience
03-11- 2020 Venturer service during Lockdown
We are pleased to announce that the Venturer will continue to provide the 72B service during the forthcoming lockdown, as timetabled. However passengers should note that the lockdown service is provided for Essential Travel Only in line with government regulations. Essential Travel is defined as : travelling to work where this cannot be done from home, travelling to education and for caring responsibilities, hospital GP and other medical appointments and visits to essential retail.
02-11-2020 No service due to flooding
In the light of current road conditions, river levels and the new warning of further heavy rain this afternoon from the Met Office, the 72B Venturer will not run this afternoon. All being well, normal service will resume tomorrow
02-11-2020 No service this morning due to flooding
The Venturer will not be running this morning (Monday 2nd Nov) due to flooding up the dale. We will review the position at lunchtime. Apologies for any inconvenience
12-08-2020 Volunteer drivers needed
Now that the Venturer is running again in CovidSecure mode, we are looking for more volunteer drivers – if you think you might be interested in occasionally driving the Venturer, why not get in touch to find out more. Full training and DBS clearance are provided although you will need a D1 or PCV entitlement on your licence. The Venturer operates from Buckden YDNPA car park. If you are interested, please call 01756 761155 or email: volunteers@upperwharfedale.com
20-07-2020 School Holidays timetable from today (20th July).
With the school summer holidays starting today, we will be operating the extended school holidays timetable until Tuesday 8th September. The 72A NYCC service will not be running and the 72B Venturer will run 5 times per day up and down the dale. For details click here
13-07-2020 Venturer service successfully restarted on Monday 6th July
Many thanks to all our customers who used the 72B Venturer last week, and also of course to our drivers. It was great to see how many people were confident about returning to our service, following the changes we have made to make the service "CovidSecure". Click here to see pics of our new anti-viral fogging machine in use on the Venturer as part of our new cleaning regime.
13-07-2020 Venturer service receives Visit Britain "Good to Go" certificate
On Friday, Upper Wharfedale Bus received “We’re Good To Go” certification. This is the Visit Britain official UK mark to signal that a tourism or hospitality business has worked hard to follow Government and industry COVID-19 guidelines and has a process in place to maintain cleanliness and aid social distancing.
27-06-2020 Venturer Service to restart on Monday 6th July
Return of the Venturer – The 72B Upper Wharfedale Venturer service will start running again on Monday 6th July. The timetable and fares will be unchanged, but there will be some significant differences in how the service works, including: face coverings to be worn at all times, reduced number of seats & cashless operation. To find out about the full list of changes and to get more information, please click here
24-03-2020 Covid-19 virus - Venturer Service suspended
In the light of yesterday evening's instructions from the government, the 72B Upper Wharfedale Venturer service will not be running today (Tuesday 24th), and will not run until further notice. We are very sorry for any inconvenience this may cause. If this causes you real problems (in the context of the current crisis) then please email info@upperwharfedale.com and we may be able to point you in the direction of assistance
23-03-2020 Covid-19 virus - New payment arrangements on the Venturer
From Monday 23rd March, the Venturer drivers will not handle cash. This is to protect them (and you) from potential infection. Please pay by contactless card if you can. If you can’t pay contactless, please put the correct money in the bucket. If you don’t have the correct money, please pay what you can and make a donation when you next travel with us. Please observe social distancing and essential travel advice.
21-03-2020 Covid-19 Coronavirus - Bus services - w/c 23rd March
The Grassington – Skipton 72 service, operated by Keighley Bus Company, will be operating to a changed timetable from Monday 23rd March. From Monday to Saturday they will run their Saturday timetable. The 72 Sunday timetable will be unchanged.
The 72A (NYCC service) will run as normal this week. They have not decided what to do after that. The 72B Venturer will run normally this week.
Dalebus 874 service will run Sunday 22nd March but will then stop until further notice.
19-03-2020 Covid-19 Coronavirus - Service Update - Important
If you have any Coronavirus symptoms or are self-isolating, please do not use the bus.
The Venturer is currently running a normal service, thanks to our great drivers. However this may need to change in the event of illness, or changes in government guidance.
If we need to change the service at short notice, we will post updates here on our website, update our Facebook page @UWVenturer and post on Twitter - follow us at @UWVenturer.
To get notice of changes to published timetable by SMS, please text “UWB Update” to 07802 350699
23-12-19 Bus services over the Christmas and New Year Period
The 72B Venturer will be running the “Saturday and School holidays” timetable throughout the holiday period, starting today through until Monday 6th January (school is closed for staff training that day). The normal “school days” timetable will resume on Tuesday 7th when the children go back to school. There will however be no Venturer service on the three bank holidays: Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Day. There is no Dalesbus service on any of the Bank Holiday dates either
27-10-19 New Dalesbus Sunday Winter Timetable
The Winter Sunday bus timetable was introduced in Upper Wharfedale from 27th October, with buses running at similar times to previous years. There are no changes to buses on Monday to Saturday, nor to Sunday buses between Skipton and Grassington. Click here for the Winter Sunday timetable for DalesBus 874 between Wakefield, Leeds, Ilkley, Grassington, Kettlewell and Buckden
28-06-19 Notice of Timetable Alteration - Thursday 26th September
Due to the road closures for the UCI World Championship race, the following Venturer services will not run on Thursday 26th September:
11.20 a.m. Buckden to Grassington
12.55 p.m. Grassington to Hebden
13.00 p.m. Hebden to Grassington
13.10 p.m. Grassington to BuckdenAll other Venturer services that day will run as normal (subject only to traffic congestion).
We apologise to passengers for any inconvenience, but this is due to circumstances beyond our control
28-06-19 Job Vacancy - Paid Driver
Part time paid driver wanted to drive the Venturer from late July. £9.73 per hour, Ave 22.5 hours per week. Click here for details and how to apply. To download an application form, click here (Word) or click here (PDF)
21 - 04 - 19 Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday Buses
The Dalesbus summer Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday bus timetable starts this weekend. Services in Upper Wharfedale are generally similar to previous years, but there is now an additional double-decker journey from Grassington up Wharfedale, over Kidstones Pass to Bishopdale and Wensleydale. The bus will leave Buckden National Park Car Park at 1225, returning from Wensleydale Creamery in Hawes at 1435. Click here for details
21 - 04 - 19 Easter School Holidays - Timetable
The schools in Upper Wharfedale will not return from the Easter holidays until Monday 29th April. The Saturdays and School Holiday timetable will be in operation on the Venturer until then. Click here to view the timetable
20 - 10 - 18 Half-term - Timetable
October Half Term in Upper Wharfedale starts on Monday 29th October. The weekday bus service next week (w/c Monday 22nd October) will be the school days service all week. Click here for timetable.
18 - 10 - 18 Upper Wharfedale Venturer - Newsletter
Click here to read the UWB Newsletter with details of the timetable changes and the extended route to Hebden. To view the new timetable, click here
03 - 10 - 18 New timetable / Venturer route to extend to Hebden
There will be minor changes to the 72B Buckden - Grassington timetable with effect from Monday 29th October 2018. This is to align to the adjusted timetable for the Keighley Bus Company's 72 Grassington Skipton service.
More significantly, from the same date, the Venturer service will extend as far as Hebden, twice a day. The service will operate at the following times, Monday to Saturday (excluding Bank holidays):
Leave Grassington for Hebden – 12:55
Arrive / Leave Hebden – 13:00
Arrive Grassington – 13:05 (To connect with KDT 72 service to Skipton)
….and:
Leave Grassington – 15:15 (Connecting with KDT 72 service from Skipton)
Arrive / Leave Hebden – 15:20
Arrive Grassington – 15:25
Click here to see the new timetable. Printed timetables will be available shortly
15 - 04 - 18 Upper Wharfedale Venturer - service changes from Monday 16th April
There are a number of changes affecting the Venturer service with effect from Monday 16th April. These are a result of the change from Pride of the Dales to Keighley Bus Company on the the Grassington - Skipton 72 route. Key changes are as follows:
There is a new timetable covering the Buckden - Grassington - Skipton 72B, 72A and 72 services, with revised running times for some buses
The new timetable is available on the bus, or click here to view and download
All 72B Venturer services will now stop in Grassington Square, both northbound and southbound. However the Keighley Bus Company 72 service will not stop in the square, and can be caught at the YDNPA car park or at the doctors.
The Venturer will continue to run additional services on Saturdays and School Holidays. These are clearly shown in the timetable. Please note that Mon 16th April is a school holiday. The School days timetable will start again on Tuesday 17th April. Click here for details of school holiday dates
Please note that fares are unchanged since April 2016
25 - 03 - 18 Upper Wharfedale Venturer - update on changes
Click here to read our newsletter with details of changes to the Venturer service with effect from Monday 16th April, when the Keighley Bus Company takes over from Pride of the Dales on the Grassington Skipton route
17 - 03 - 18 New Buckden - Grassington - Skipton Timetable - April 16th
We are pleased to announce that Derek Green of Buckden has been recruited to drive the Venturer, taking over the shifts previously covered by Nick, Ian and Paul from Pride of the Dales. Derek also drives for NYCC and knows both the route, the bus and many of our passengers. Derek will start driving for us when Keighley Bus take over the Grassington Skipton service on Monday 16th April.
10 - 03 - 18 New Buckden - Grassington - Skipton Timetable - April 16th
The new timetable for the 72, 72A, 72B (the Venturer) and 72R is now available. The timetable takes effect from Monday April 16th. Keighley Bus Company are running a new timetable on the Grassington Skipton service, and we have had to adjust the Venturer's times to take account of this. The Venturer's timetable is similar to the current timetable but is being changed to align connection times to the revised 72 /72R service between Grassington and Skipton. There is no change to the basic pattern of our timetable, in terms of number of buses per day, the differentiated service on Saturdays and school holidays (as opposed to school days), the route or the stopping places. Where the service times are changing, it is between 15 & 30 minutes earlier or later.The most significant change is on school day afternoons when the bus will leave Buckden half an hour earlier to make the connection at Grassington, but there is then a half hour layover in Grassington to ensure the last bus back is no earlier than at present. Note that the Venturer will now go round Grassington Square on every trip.
Some Keighley Bus Company buses from Grassington to Skipton, will take a more direct route, thus reducing the overall time from updale to Skipton. There are also improved connections to the Airedale service from Skipton.
Please note that we are once again able to maintain the current level of fares, so there has been no increase since April 2016. To view and download the new timetable, please click here. We hope the new timetable will work for local people - if you have any comments please email info@upperwharfedale.com
05 - 03 - 18 Keighley Bus Company to take over Grassington - Skipton service from Pride of the Dales
We are looking forward to working with the Keighley Bus Company when they take over the 72 Grassington - Skipton route from Pride of the Dales on 16th April. Watch this space for details of the new timetable, with faster journey times from updale down to Skipton
01 - 03 - 18 No service - Friday 2nd March
In the light of drifting snow and the continued Met Office Amber Warning for tomorrow, we will not be running the Venturer on Friday. Watch this space for status of Saturday's service.
01 - 03 - 18 Further Cancellations due to snow
The Venturer will not be running this afternoon (Thursday) due to the continuing bad weather conditions. Right now Friday morning is looking doubtful based on the latest Met Office forecast. Watch this space for updates
01 - 03 - 18 Cancellations due to snow
Due to continuing snow conditions updale, the Venturer will not run the morning 72B service today (Thursday). There will be no service until the 15.05 from Buckden (subject to weather). We will decide whether to run the afternoon service around 13.00. Watch this space for updates
28 - 02 -18 Snow Update
The Venturer will be running this afternoon - 15.05 from Buckden, 15.45 from Grassington. May not get into Long Ashes depending on the road conditions.
28 - 02 -18 Cancellations due to snow
Due to heavy snow overnight updale, the UW Venturer will not be running this morning. All services cancelled until the 15.05 from Buckden. A decision about whether to run this afternoon will be taken at lunchtime. We apologise for any inconvenience. Watch this space for updates
05 - 02 -18 Job Vacancy - Paid Driver
As a result of the change of operator on the Skipton Grassington route from Pride of the Dales to Transdev, Upper Wharfedale Bus are seeking a part time paid driver. £9.50 per hour, Ave 22.5 hours per week. Click here for details and how to apply
29 - 12 -17 Further cancellations due to snow
Due to continuing bad road conditions updale the 11.15 Venturer from Buckden and the 13.07 from Grassington will not run today. We hope to resume normal service this afternoon.
29 - 12 -17 Service cancellations due to snow
Friday morning - Due to adverse road conditions updale, the Venturer will not be running the following services this morning . 08:35 & 09:45 from Buckden; 09:10 & 10.25 from Grassington. Watch this space for updates. Apologies to our passengers for any inconvenience
27 - 12 -17 School Holiday timetable - replacement bus
School holidays timetable now until Tuesday 9th January. Click here for timetable. Also, the Venturer has gone in for a service and other repairs, so we will be running an NYCC school bus for the next couple of weeks.
22 - 10 -17 School Holidays this week
It is the school half term holiday this week, so we will be running the Saturday and School Holiday timetable, all week. Click here for details
22 - 10 -17 Different bus this week
30 - 09 -17 Dalesbus Sunday Bus Winter Timetable
The Winter Sunday DalesBus timetable will be introduced from Sunday 1st October, with buses running at similar times to last winter. On Sundays the last bus from Buckden will be at 1620 running to Grassington, for connections to Skipton, Burnley and Manchester, continuing to Ilkley, Leeds and Wakefield. Click here for timetable
20 - 08 - 17 Timetable - School Holidays / August Bank Holiday
Please note that the school holiday timetable will run until Monday 4th September. Schooldays timetable will resume on Tues 5th. On August Bank Holiday Monday (28/08) the Dalesbus timetable will operate - click here for details
01 - 06 - 17 Service disruption - 31st May
Apologies to any passengers affected by the service disruption on the 10.25 from Grassington and / or the 11.15 from Buckden on Wednesday 31st May. This was caused by a serious road
accident between Kettlewell and Starbotton which led to the closure of the road for several hours. We are sorry for any inconvenience.
28 - 05 - 17 Replacement bus this week (week commencing 29th May)
The Venturer is going for a service including new brake discs and pads this week, so we will be running one of the NYCC school buses instead. Timetable will be school holidays (as it is half term). Fares will be as normal
11 - 04 - 17 Upper Wharfedale Venturer - first birthday
The Upper Wharfedale Venturer is one year old today (11th April 2017). 12,039 passengers carried on almost 2,500 trips, and more than 25,000 miles driven. Many thanks to the passengers, drivers and other volunteers who have all made the service such a success
10 - 04 -17 New Timetable
The new timetable for the 72 & 74 services for Upper Wharfedale, Skipton and Ilkley are published today and take effect from 10th April 2017. Please note that are no changes to the Upper Wharfedale Venturer timetable. Click here to download the new timetable.
03 - 04 -17 Easter Holiday Timetable
Although school holidays start tomorrow in some parts of the country, schools in North Yorkshire do not break up until end of next week. The Venturer will be running a school-day timetable Mon – Fri next week – w/c 3rd April. The following 2 weeks will be school holiday timetable. Also please note that the Venturer will be running on Good Friday. Click here for a calendar of school holidays.
25 - 10 - 16 Replacement bus this week (week commencing 24th October)
The Venturer is going for its major service and MoT test this week, so we will be running one of the NYCC school buses instead. Timetable will be school holidays (as it is half term). Fares will be as normal
01 - 09 - 16 Monday to Saturday timetable changes from September
From 6th September, school day journeys on service 72A in Upper Wharfedale have been revised, with the last school day bus from Buckden to Grassington leaving at16:20. The Pride of the Dales services 74 and 74S between Ilkley and Grassington will no longer operate on Mondays, Wednesdays or Fridays. (The Saturday service continues unchanged). Click here for more details of the changes. Click here to access the current timetable.
10 - 07 -16 Venturer July Newsletter
Click here to read the Upper Wharfedale Venturer July newsletter and find out how things are going with the new bus service after three months of operation..
03 - 07 - 16 Buckden Singers perform "The Wharfedale Omnibus" at Grassington Festival
Upper Wharfedale's own community choir - the Buckden Singers - performed their version of "The Wharfedale Omnibus" at Grassington Festival on Saturday 2nd July. Click here to view a video of their performance,
05 - 05 - 16 Venturer News May news letter
Read all about our first month of operation in the Upper Wharfedale Venturer Newsletter. With over 1000 passengers in our first month, the service is working well and, so far, all is going to plan. To find out more, click here to download our May newsletter
25 - 04 -16 Two weeks into the new service and it's going well.....
So, we've been running the 72B for two weeks now and it's working well. A few teething problems which was only to be expected, but we have already carried more than 500 passengers in the first fortnight, and the feedback has been very positive. If you have questions, comments or suggestions please do get in touch at info@upperwharfedale.com or call 01756 636161
11 - 04 -16 Fantastic launch for the Venturer in Kettlewell
Many thanks to all those who worked so hard to make the launch in Kettlewell today such a success. Click here for pics
02 - 04 -16 April Newsletter
Click here to access the April Newsletter - including Frequently Asked Questions about the new service
23 - 04 - 16 New livery for the Upper Wharfedale Venturer
Click here for images of the Venturer in its new livery
23 - 04 - 16 Upper Wharfedale Bus Launch Party
The launch party for the new Upper Wharfedale Venturer bus service, will be held on Saturday the 9th April at 12.30 p.m. at Kettlewell Village Hall. There will be an opening ceremony, some entertainment and a Jacob's Join, with fizz generously provided by local hostelries. All welcome - Please put the date in your diaries and do join us to mark the start of this important community project. Click here for poster
06 - 03 - 16 Newsletter
Click here to download the March newsletter about the project
05 - 02 - 16 UWB on BBC Breakfast
Peter Vetch of UWB was interviewed on BBC Breakfast on 4th February and announced the name of the new service - the "Upper Wharfedale Venturer." Click here to watch the clip
05 - 02 -16 The Bus
The new Mercedes 16 seat bus which will become the Upper Wharfedale Venturer was delivered on Friday 5th February. Between now and April it will be used for training, and will be liveried and fitted out with a Ticketer. Click here for pics
15 - 01 -16 Newsletter
Click here to download the January newsletter about the project
10 - 01 - 16 Vacancies
If you would like to volunteer to help with the service, please email volunteers@upperwharfedale.com
If you are interested in a paid driver position, please email jobs@upperwharfedale.com
12 - 12 - 15 Contract award
NYCC have notified Upper Wharfedale Bus CIC that our bid to run the 72 Buckden - Grassington bus service has been successful. The contract has now been signed and work is well underway to get ready to take on the service.
The service, which will start on 11th April, is planned to run three times per day in each direction on school days (when it will be supplemented by an NYCC provided service) and five times per day on Saturdays and school holidays. Buses will connect with the Grassington / Skipton bus at Grassington.
