IT seems to be the flavour of the month to have a go at the bus services in Leeds. Drivers not turning up, buses not turning up etc. It has even been suggested returning the service to the council to operate.
On this point what difference would this make? Would the council be able to guarantee that all employees would turn up to drive the bus? What will they do, go to the homes of the drivers and drag them into work? I think not.
Drivers are human bei
ngs, they get ill and have family problems, like workers in other professions, and there are times when they do not go to work (unfortunately).
I remember when we had Leeds City Transport running the buses, we had strikes and exactly the same moans we hear today.
Gripe
Buses running 'out of service' was the latest gripe. Due to regulations, drivers are only permitted to operate 'in service' for a set number of hours at a time, therefore if a driver has a bus full and his regulated hours pass he has no option but to drop off the passengers on board – but not pick up any more.
Also a bus is not a Tardis – there is not more room on the inside than there appears to be from the outside; when it is full it is FULL. Again the driver will show 'not in service' to inform people at stops that he will not be picking up.
Perhaps all the complainers would like to train as bus drivers and try doing this job; it would at least solve the staff shortages that lead to buses not running.
The one point that I do agree with that has been raised in the last few weeks is the number of black and white taxis that clog up the city centre around New Station Street and Mill Hill, also on Vicar Lane. There is a clear sign that states 'Stand for 2 taxis between 11pm and 7am'.
Go there any time of the day and you will see at least three taxis standing.
If this problem was resolved a big step would be taken in allowing buses to run to time.
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