A LEADING councillor has promised a bright future for public transport at a seaside town after a £300,000 scheme was revealed.

North Yorkshire County Council has bought Whitby bus station to develop quality passenger waiting facilities on the site.

The authority bought the premises from Arriva, and representatives of both organisations will become the first to sign a "public transport quality partnership for Whitby".

The keys to the station are due to be handed over to environmental services chief, Councillor Peter Sowray, this morning.

He said: "It is an unusual step for the county council to buy a bus station. But we recognise that public transport is important to local people and visitors.

"It is essential to promote the public transport experience as a real alternative to the private car. Proper passenger facilities are an essential part of this.

"The public transport quality partnership is a commitment to the people of Whitby and the surrounding area for the provision of high quality services.

"Scarborough Borough Council will join the partnership in the near future, and we hope that other bus operators, as well as Northern Spirit, will also sign the agreement."

The county council has put aside more than £300,000 to ensure that the proposed redevelopment of the station provides the right levels of passenger comfort and security.