Espresso coffee bar launched in York with beans roasted less than three miles away

Founded by Shaun and Caitlin, kWh is now serving passengers at Askham Bar with specialty coffee roasted less than three miles away (Image: Supplied)

A NEW coffee collaboration is bringing a fresh buzz to daily commutes in York.

First Bus and York-based kWh Coffee have teamed up to launch an espresso bar at the Askham Bar Park and Ride, offering barista-made coffee to travellers.

First Bus said its efforts are to enhance the park and ride experience through collaboration with local businesses, while also aligning with the sustainability goals of both companies.

The bus company said this is the first coffee venture on the park and ride network in the city.

Stephen Moyle, general manager at First Bus in York, said: "We're always looking for ways to improve our customers’ experience, and partnering with local businesses like kWh Coffee is a fantastic way to do just that.

"After extending our operating hours with funding by City of York Council last July, and seeing our commuter base expand, this is the next step in our journey in delivering more than just transport to the people of York and beyond."

The idea took shape after the First Bus team visited kWh’s roastery, located just 500 metres from the York bus depot.

The espresso coffee bar is the first on York's Park & Ride network, the bus company said

(Image: Supplied)

Both the Park and Ride and kWh Coffee’s operations run on 100 per cent renewable electricity, and the café itself operates from a converted horsebox, giving a new use to an existing vehicle.

Caitlin Walker, co-founder of kWh Coffee, said: "I'm from North Yorkshire, and regular travel into York meant the bus network was very important to me.

"Launching this with First Bus in York means a lot.

"Everything we do runs on electricity - the roaster, the deliveries, now the horsebox.

"Buses and coffee are both really about better mornings, and we think a proper flat white, roasted sustainably up the road, is a good place to start."

The all-electric operation schedules production around live National Grid data, timing each batch to the windows when Britain's power grid runs greenest.

The espresso bar is open Monday to Friday from 8am to 3pm, and on Saturdays from 9.30am to 5pm.

Anna Courtier, commercial support manager at First Bus, said: "We are really excited to see this partnership come to life and look forward to supporting further growth of the offering to customers."