YEP Leeds survey: '˜Road congestion continues to be biggest issue facing bus services'

Some 51 per cent of people who took part echoed the call for improvements to bus and public transport services in Leeds.

Transport in Leeds on agenda with YEP’s big issues survey: Click here for more

There was also criticism of bus services across the city, which people said were often delayed, unpleasant and uncomfortable.

Your views in the survey come after the YEP shone a spotlight on the plight of commuters using buses in Leeds in spring, when we published a series of articles, highlighting residents’ frustration over problems with bus services in the city.

Commenting on the latest YEP survey, Paul Matthews, managing director of First West Yorkshire, said: “As one of the biggest bus operators in West Yorkshire, with more than 880 buses carrying around 350,000 people every day, ensuring our customers have a reliable bus service is of the utmost importance and so it’s disappointing to hear that some customers are unhappy with the service they receive from us.

“Road congestion continues to be the biggest issue facing bus services across the country, but here in West Yorkshire, we are addressing this by working in partnership with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, Leeds City Council and other local operators.”

He said a series of popular services – including the number 1, 6, 97 and X84, had their timetables revised early this year to improve reliability.

Mr Matthews added: “Our drivers do a fantastic job, but we understand that there are occasions when customer service can be improved. In response to this feedback we have been investing in new training programmes to support our drivers.”