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Leeds: Bust up over bus services
First Bus bosses were hauled over the coals over swingeing service cuts at a packed public meeting in Leeds.
And Councillor Chris Greaves, chairman of Metro, West Yorkshire's Transport Authority, called for the county's transport system to be overhauled in order to increase competition and improve passenger services.
David Alexander, and Richard Harris, both from First, faced about 50 bus users and members of the Transport Authority at a meeting called to discuss the proposed timetable changes.
As recently reported in the YEP, about four per cent of First's services in West Yorkshire could be axed from mid-July.
Coun Colin Campbell, chairing the meeting, challenged Mr Alexander, First's managing director in West and North Yorkshire to produce figures that showed "significant downturn" in passenger numbers that First blames for the cuts.
Mr Alexander said he was unable to provide such detailed figures to the meeting.
But he said that the economic situation was being monitored and, when signs of growth were seen, services could be switched back.
Metro member Philip Good asked for guarantees that fares would be held at their current levels, following the proposed cuts and First's price rises last April.
Mr Alexander said he was unable to give such guarantees. But he
added: "It would be rather insensitive to do anything else for the foreseeable future."
Coun Campbell was forced to intervene in the meeting twice to calls such as "rubbish" and "sack him".
To applause, Coun Mick Lyons warned the First executive to remember that the people of West Yorkshire paid their wages.
He said: "Those people want good reliable services, not just profits for First. You want war, we want peace but remember we know how to fight the big bus operators."
In a bright spot for passengers, yesterday's meeting heard that two Leeds services are set to be saved.
Geldards Coaches has registered the 711 between Bradford, Pudsey and the White Rose Centre, while Harrogate Coach Travel is to take over the hourly 653 route between Otley and Harrogate. That service will also include two hourly extensions to Ilkley and Guiseley.
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Weather for Leeds
Saturday 11 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: -1 C to 1 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Light rain
Temperature: 1 C to 6 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: North west
