'Never gonna happen and won't improve anything': Leeds bus users react to call for public ownership

Leeds bus users have reacted to calls for public ownership as a way to tackle the network's issues in the city.
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A poll of Yorkshire Evening Post readers showed that 71 per cent of bus users in Leeds think the buses SHOULD be brought into public ownership, after more than 1,000 votes.

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Christopher James said: "Why? The service wouldn't be any better as the problems that cause the issues would still be there.

Buses in LeedsBuses in Leeds
Buses in Leeds

"Do you think First and Arriva purposely make there buses miss or be late? Be a bus driver for the day then you will see the things you don't see as a passenger then you might think twice about moaning over bus services"

Stephen Stone said: "About time they came up a transportation that was fit for purpose, for me has to be monorail, above ground, would not get stuck in traffic, can be electrified."

Nick Cawood added: Not only will this never happen it won’t improve anything. The fault doesn’t lie within the companies that are running the services, they’re doing what they can with what they have at their disposal.

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"The reduction in emissions is costing them millions now that this clean air zone has become a thing. The buses they can’t upgrade, they’re having to replace. Then the company that actually builds the buses went into administration. So I’m not sure where any other conglomerate that may own the service will suddenly find clear roads and new, reliable, low emissions buses to provide the service."

Nigel Bywater added: "Just let the council provide a bus service at certain times, on certain routes, let them compete against each other. If the council buses provide a better service, let them expand. Public transport is very important."

Mark Brook said: "Give us the tram system we were promised when Manchester, Sheffield and Nottingham got theirs... Leeds is the only major city in western Europe that hasnt got anything like it."

Steve Haley added: "The only way to improve the bus service is to stop other traffic using the roads in town... the congestion is getting worse by the year and making cycle lanes is a complete waste of Money and road space. Hardly anybody cycles into Leeds.

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"Add to that road works which are becoming far more frequent with temp lights springing up all over the place... and to top it all off... the Corn Exchange is going to become pedestrianised leaving even less roads for buses to use."

Steve Clark said: "Nothing wrong with the bus service ,it’s the city that’s always gridlocked, how are they supposed to get around?"