On The Buses bother? YEP Readers' Panel have their say on city public transport options.

"Do Leeds passengers deserve better bus services. If so, how?" question created considerable debate among our Community Forum members.
All change at Leeds City Bus Station?All change at Leeds City Bus Station?
All change at Leeds City Bus Station?

Transport Secretary Chris Grayling's assertion, during a city visit, he is "open" to overhaul of under-fire bus services, suggesting franchising could help bring London-style benefits to local commuters, promoted mixed reaction.

Joanne St Lawrence

I certainly believe Leeds needs better bus services. I would have preferred to see more dedicated bus lanes than cycle tracks. I think the park and ride schemes like the one at Elland Road have been successful for people outside Leeds and local bus lanes could realistically encourage commuters to leave their cars at home. I do not use my car to go into the city centre, the bus is reliable and stops where I want to be, unlike having to park a car outside the central traffic-free zone at great cost. The city shuttle bus is great for the hospitals, council offices and shopping centres. I think fares should be heavily subsidised, it would be worth the cost just to save on air pollution and overcrowded roads.

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How your YEP reported subject

Dennis Appleyard

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Over the years there have been innumerable feasibility studies, all very expensive and ultimately pointless as nothing seems to happen and the situation gets worse,. The expense mounts and Leeds has a terrible pollution problem which the cycle super highway and new Park and Rides may help but ultimately Leeds needs to be radical and move into the 21st Century or once again we will 'miss the bus'!

Amy Green

Yes. We absolutely deserve a better public transport system. I'd go so far as to say, we need a complete overhaul. We need a reliable system, be it trams or an underground system. It's unacceptable that in 2017 some areas are not serviced by public transport. As a true Yorkshire lass, it pains me to say, but we must look to cities like Manchester, and draw inspiration from them, to implement here.

Transport Secretary Chris Grayling "open" to bus services overhaulTransport Secretary Chris Grayling "open" to bus services overhaul
Transport Secretary Chris Grayling "open" to bus services overhaul

James Kirk

You pay for a service, not just a journey. The customer forgets their right to an experience programme that should be tailored to impress. Money is hard earned and a poor transport system can directly affect that income.

Denis Angood

Obvious answer is YES, the big question is how. How do you get a profit making business to cut profits to provide a non profit service which is the only way you will provide a bus service that gives the travelling public what they deserve. Don't think First are interested in doing that.

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Dean Fallows

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A transport system not just a better bus service for Leeds that facilitates a prosperous, sustainable economy for the City is what is needed. Isolated projects have been our downfall, lets join the dots and create a comprehensive strategic transport vision.

Sophie Mei Lan

I much prefer taking the bus to the train but yes they should be a lot better. They are so expensive which discourages a lot of users not to mention the long wait in between some services. I'd welcome changes to the services so that they are lower cost/value for money and serve more communities so that people feel connected to the city as well as having the finance to travel.

Transport Secretary Chris Grayling "open" to bus services overhaulTransport Secretary Chris Grayling "open" to bus services overhaul
Transport Secretary Chris Grayling "open" to bus services overhaul

Joanne St Lawrence

I certainly believe Leeds needs better bus services. I would have preferred to see more dedicated bus lanes than cycle tracks. I think the park and ride schemes like the one at Elland Road have been successful for people outside Leeds and local bus lanes could realistically encourage commuters to leave their cars at home. I do not use my car to go into the city centre, the bus is reliable and stops where I want to be, unlike having to park a car outside the central traffic-free zone at great cost. The city shuttle bus is great for the hospitals, council offices and shopping centres. I think fares should be heavily subsidised, it would be worth the cost just to save on air pollution and overcrowded roads.

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