“Angry” Leeds bus users have hit out at the “barmy” bus times which aren’t set to change as a new operator takes over.
The people of Wetherby have grown sick and tired of the infrequent bus service, which provides trips between the North Leeds market town and Leeds city centre twice an hour - with a couple of areas in between only getting a bus once an hour.
This comes as Transdev, the Harrogate Bus Company, is set to take over the X98 and X99 services from First Bus from Sunday, October 2. Passengers are fuming the buses aren’t becoming more regular and the latest journey leaving Wetherby remains at 10.10pm.
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Transdev insists their service will make a “positive difference”, promises to review all aspects of the operation and pointed out the latest journey remained consistent with First’s timetable. They welcome feedback, however.
Retired prison officer Keith Daniel BEM, 74, from Deighton Bar, unleashed an onslaught of feedback at the bus operator. He uses the bus everyday and thinks the timetable is utterly “barmy”.
Refusing to pull his punches, Keith said: “It’s not good, Transdev haven’t got enough drivers. They keep cancelling the buses so it’s not a very good bus service.
“It’s barmy, what the heck is happening to this bus service?! Put more buses on!
“We have to wait half an hour at least. Up at Deighton Bar, you’ve got to wait an hour. It’s barmy. What’s going? It makes me angry. Wetherby is a good town and it needs a better bus service.”
Keith’s grandson has a sales job where he’s in contact with US clients late at night and depends on the bus service, which ends with the 10.10pm journey from the market town.
Keith fumed: “It’s not good enough, my grandson uses it. Why can’t we have a decent bus service in Wetherby? He’s going to be working late in Leeds.”
Amy, 17, who didn’t want her last name published, from East Keswick, is also unhappy about Transdev taking over. Amy has to travel to Wetherby and Leeds regularly as she works in famous fish and chip shop the Wetherby Whaler and attends Leeds City College, at the Printworks Campus near Leeds Dock.
Amy said: “For me, it’s not good. I get the X99 and then another bus into college. I get the yearly bus pass, so this means I’d have to get a Harrogate bus pass [for the X99] and a Leeds bus which would be like £800.
“It’s annoying, it makes my life harder. It’s really bad.”
'Improved,' insists Transdev
Steve Ottley, General Manager at Transdev said: "We are looking forward to bringing our signature Sky Class premium quality to the X98 and X99 routes. We think everyone will notice the positive difference we are about to make.
"The 11.10pm journey from Wetherby to Leeds is being withdrawn by the previous operator before we take over from them this Sunday.
"Both routes are new to us, and we will focus on providing a stable and reliable service during their first few months with us, before thoroughly reviewing all aspects of their operation, including their timetables.
"We very much value our customers' feedback, and once we have settled in on these routes, we will be inviting views on what is working well and on what changes we might consider. We can't promise to do everything for everyone, but we always welcome feedback on all that we do."
The general manager added their fares will offer “improved” value, matching First’s prices. Tickets issued by First tickets will be valid on the service for two weeks. He advised those who had a First Annual Pass to contact First and discuss options with them.
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