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A Yorkshire bus service named the most scenic route in Britain could be withdrawn as its operators confirmed its future is under review.

The 840, one of the two Coastliner routes from Leeds and York, could be cancelled as early as April following what are believed to be concerns over low passenger numbers in the winter months.

Transdev operate two Coastliner services, the 840 and 843, which diverge at Malton. The 843 continues to Scarborough and is not affected by the review, but the 840 takes a moorland route via Pickering, Flamingo Land theme park and the tourist villages of Thornton-le-Dale and Goathland before terminating in Whitby.

Its removal would mean visitors would be unable to reach Whitby from Leeds or York by public transport, as there is no rail link to either city, though it is believed the section of the route as far as Malton would still be served.

An 840 Coastliner bus in Goathland, one of the villages that would no longer be served if the Malton-Whitby section of the service is cut

A source from within the bus industry claimed that the 840 would only continue if subsidised by the county council and that fares could increase by 12 per cent – neither of which were refuted by Transdev.

Transdev confirmed that the 840’s future is subject to review, and a decision will be made public in April.

Operations manager Kel Pizzuti said: "As with all bus operators across the country, we are responding to challenges including recovering customer numbers following the pandemic and the decline in government funding. In common with all businesses, we are also responding to rising operating costs, including fuel, wages, energy and engineering materials.

840 Coastliner: Yorkshire bus service between Leeds, York and Whitby named 'Britain's most scenic route' is under review and could be withdrawn