A £2M bus station was opened yesterday by Transport Minister Tony McNulty.

Mr McNulty spent a day on the buses in Harrogate beginning with the opening of the town's new terminal.

The redeveloped bus station was built as a partnership venture with Blazefield Holdings Limited, Harrogate Borough Council and North Yorkshire County Council.

It now caters for all bus and express coach services in Harrogate - previously a number of services operated on-street due to the limited capacity of the old bus station.

"Buses are a vital means of transport for many people in Harrogate," said Mr McNulty.

"The Government is committed to supporting schemes like this that bring real benefits to local communities.

"This new £2m bus station provides a dramatically better facility for the people of Harrogate, catering for all local bus and express coach services.

"It is a good example of what can be achieved when councils and other organisations work in partnership."

The minister travelled to Rossett School, where he met pupils and governors on board one of the 13 yellow school buses operated by Harrogate and District Travel.

The bright yellow buses are driven by uniformed staff with supervisory back-up.

Youngsters are picked up at, or close to, home.

Drivers are drawn from a small team, who have received comprehensive public service vehicle training as well as training in customer care, safety, security and child behaviour.