Transport operator First Group and York City Council have signed a £25m deal to run a more energy-efficient park-and-ride service for the city. Improvements have been built into the contract, operating from February 2009, which will see a new fleet of 32 environmentally-friendly buses. It comes at a time when councils are coming under pressure to develop services which will reduce car dependence and pollution. York, as a historic city, will be seen as a flagship authority, if it beats congestion. Capital programme manager at the council, Tony Clarke, said: ‘The scheme will reduce the number of cars congesting the city centre and improve air quality at key locations.' Law firm Dickinson Dees advised and set up the contract. The firm's director, Deborah Ramshaw, said: ‘It was important to ensure that the contract was future-proof, as it is to be in operation for five years. ‘We, therefore, needed to take into account a number of complex considerations to ensure that the contract would run smoothly over this period, and to ensure the park-and-ride service achieves continuous improvement, year on year.'