Residents in Leeds have been left furious after First Bus announced more services throughout the city are to be withdrawn.
A number of new timetable changes are set to come into place from April 2, including cutting off a direct route for commuters and shoppers. Lots of residents rely on the number 9 and 9a services for commuting, this route takes people from Pudsey bus station to the White Rose Shopping Centre.
However, as of April 2, the route will be axed, alongside further changes which will see other services withdrawn and new routes for passengers. Many have taken to social media to condemn the decision, with people claiming First are not thinking about those who cannot drive.
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First West Yorkshire has announced it is splitting its 51 and 52 services which travel through Leeds city centre from Morley in the south to Moor Allerton in the north to improve punctuality. In a post on Facebook group Leedsplace, hundreds took to the comment section to express their anger over the changes.
Many were saying they rely on the services and called it a "disgrace". Karen said: "Another nail in White Rose". Vicky said: "A lot of kids get that bus to get to college near white rose, god knows how mine will get there now."
Natalya added: "So they’ve made the city centre inaccessible for cars and now taken away park and ride on the weekends? Makes sense".
Sheree commented: "This puts a stop to my son starting 14+ college next year to do engineering. We don’t have any buses left in Rodley. The 16 is a ridiculous service. 508 is also apparently being cancelled so we have nothing."
Eileen added: "A big city with a pitiful transport system. Look at other cities with both buses & trams." Anna said: "How are people from this side of Leeds now meant to get to the White Rose Centre now?!?" James said: "Bye bye white rose, what a joke can't believe number 9 gone after all these years too feel sorry for Rodley and students etc".
Clifford said: "I really don't get the logic behind these latest bus changes. The park and ride weekend closure beggars belief. I'm astonished at the 508 detour away from the A65 and halving the frequency! This is a major trunk route!"
Jo said: "I thought the whole idea was to get people ON public transport and stop the traffic congestion. This is going to cause alot of unnecessary problems for commuters. Absolutely ridiculous!! First bus in Leeds are an absolute joke."
Graham said: "All this will just force people to use there cars so defeating the object of keeping cars off roads" Julie commented: "They don’t care about people that cannot drive"
Scott said: "This is a disgrace to public transport users. They cry out to ditch cars etc use public transport then you do this?? Really makes things awkward for folk to get to work and about."
Mae said: "This is a lifeline service for lots of people, absolutely useless to remove it!"
Kayleigh Ingham, Commercial Director of First West Yorkshire, said: “The change to this north-south link through the city will help to avoid delays due to congestion which has affected journey times on such a lengthy route. I’m confident that our investment in new technology will also continue to improve punctuality for all services across the region.
“We have worked closely with the Combined Authority to maintain connectivity where possible. Unfortunately some of these journeys are no longer viable given low levels of utilisation and increased operating costs, whilst WYCA has chosen to revise or withdraw some of these expired contracts for the same reasons.
“We appreciate that some amendments will be disappointing for customers affected. First West Yorkshire has carefully reviewed these together with WYCA in order to limit changes.
"This action is necessary now to ensure we build a sustainable network into the future and that we balance customer demand with available resources, where there is a clear need for additional capacity.
“It would not be prudent for any organisation, private or public, to continue to operate the same services knowing that the demand across the bus network has changed.”
All the planned changes to the schedules from April 2:
- Service 9 Horsforth - White Rose Centre - Withdrawn
- Service New 9S Horsforth - White Rose Centre - One 6.40am journey from Horsforth for student travel
- A Horsforth - Pudsey - White Rose Centre - Seacroft - New route Seacroft to White Rose Centre only
- Service 14 Pudsey - Leeds - Logic Business Park - New route from Pudsey to leeds. Revised timetable with new hourly frequency, if travelling to Logic Business Park, use PR2 Temple Green Service between Leeds and Pontefract Lane
- Service New 38/39 Moor Allerton - Leeds - Replaces northern leg of the 51/52 service which will now only operate Leeds - Morley, through ticketing available.
- Service 40 Leeds - Crossgates - Seacroft - Revised timetable
- Service 47 Leeds - White Rose Centre - Revised route and timetable
- Service 48 - Wigton Moor - Morley - Withdrawn
- Service 51/52 Moor Allerton - Leeds - Morley - New route Leeds to Morley. New 38/39 service replace the northern leg of the journey. Service has been split up to improve punctuality, through ticketing is available.
- 64 (early evening and Sunday journeys only) Aberford - Cross Gates - Leeds - New route Aberford to Cross Gates only. If travelling to Leeds, interchange at Cross Gates, through ticketing is available.
- 87 (evening journeys) Bramley/Leeds -St James' Hospital - Withdrawn
- PR1 Elland Road - Timetable ammendments. Will now operate Monday to Friday only
- PR2 Temple Green - Timetable ammendments. Will now operate Monday to Friday only
- PR3 Stourton - Timetable ammendments. Will now operate Monday to Saturday only
Forthcoming timetables will be available to view on the First website shortly.
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