A West Yorkshire bus chief has admitted his company, First, is providing its "worst service" in decades.
Paul Matthews is the managing director for First Bus’ West Yorkshire arm, said repeated cuts and changes to services across the network since the pandemic had left passengers dissatisfied with the service. He said operators were in a "no-win" scenario and faced criticism regardless of how they reacted to the industry’s driver shortage, which has been blamed for the cuts.
Speaking to Leeds councillors at a scrutiny meeting, Mr Matthews said it was “not as simple” as just hiking pay. Currently, bus patronage in West Yorkshire is at 80% of 2019 levels.
