Leeds trolley buses set to get the go ahead!

[cnosni]

Chrism wrote: I think this will go the same direction as the trams, nowhere. Yes,the scheme is in exactly the same position as Supertram was just before it was dropped.Call me a cynic but the timing of the governments announcement,just before an election,smells of placation to maintain a strong labour representation in the city .Gordon Brown personally knows that Leeds has been cryiing out for a mass transport system,and hes had some stick over it when he visits Leeds.As the city has a Conservative/Liberal council is he worried that Labour could make significant losses in what has traditionally been a Labour strong hold.My leanings politically have traditionally been towards Labour,they are the ones i usually vote for.But i dont like the thought of them now sucking up to the city in election time by dangling the carrot of transport infrastructure improvements that have been offered to ther cities at non pre election times.Looks like i cant be placated on any aspect to do with this scheme.Can anyone come up with something positive to change my mind?

[Phill_dvsn]

Well... They cover the wheels over on the trolley bus to make it LOOK like a Supertram Csnosi.http://snipurl.com/v0hokWill that placate you lol     

[Riponian]

Where are they going to throw this 235 million quid then? It'll be on a bunch of "consultants" who've never ever travelled on a bus no doubt. It's got disaster written all over it. Once gain Leeds is being fobbed off - give it a few weeks and the new government and it'll be in the spending cuts.Given Leeds has already thrown money at Supertram to get nothing, I wouldn't blame the council if it decided it was going to have nothing to do with the scheme financially until the first JCB has started work. It's not as if there is a vast amount of ground work needed to do this. Nay, we used to have the poles at the side of the road for the trams or hang the fixings from buildings so it's not rocket science. The tech can be bought off the shelf from Europe, instead no doubt they'll make it cost three times as much and then not work for years.We had the first trolleybuses in 1911 but they didn't last long. Bradford only kept theirs so long due to the hilly nature of the city.UKG will happily spend billions on a rabbit hole under the capital, but once away from Westminster the priorities get dropped.My advice? 235 million? Wetherby and Ripon get a proper railway again, the wires reach Knaresborough and a lovely park and ride at Scholes.

[patter]

Why all the fuss over SuperTrams, we're meant to be down to earth in Yorkshire. An honest, normal tram with full priority on the major bus routes would be a godsend to this crowded city, but that would impact First's precious profits and everyone with a car would be against such a sensible investment for the collective good.Some days I can even walk to the city centre & beat the bus from here.

[patter]

Riponian wrote: My advice? 235 million? Wetherby and Ripon get a proper railway again, the wires reach Knaresborough and a lovely park and ride at Scholes. Stick a few quid more on that, wire to York & Doncaster - valuable ECML diversion routes.

[Phill_dvsn]

patter wrote: Why all the fuss over SuperTrams, we're meant to be down to earth in Yorkshire. An honest, normal tram with full priority on the major bus routes would be a godsend to this crowded city, but that would impact First's precious profits and everyone with a car would be against such a sensible investment for the collective good.Some days I can even walk to the city centre & beat the bus from here. I'm not sure if it's just a fuss about the Supertram. Down to earth Yorkshire folk or not.I think my grip is why can other Cities lead the way, why can the likes of Manchester and Sheffield (amongst many more) have a brilliant transport infrastructure up and running for over 15 YEARS! Why do other cities have great music arenas already pulling in the crowds. Why do they lead the way, and have new and inventive ideas, landmarks, attractions while this city gets nothing?Just what is wrong with the powers that be in Leeds is my question. Something is woefully wrong.Not fit for purpose springs to mind!        

[Keg]

Remember that the Socialist republic of Sheffield nearly went bankrupt because of the supertram, if i remember correctly, it was the flat fare wherever,whenever that nearly did it.In asnwer to your question Phil, i think with Sheffield's case, beacuse of the impact of Steel and coal etc, it was probably seen as a special case.Reading the bumf in the EP online tonight, i'm not sure how having an 8 mile Trolley Bus route with two park and ride points i suddenly going to bring wealth and prosperity to the city as claimed. I would to support public transport, but if we all started using ut as intended tommorrow, it would creak and die.I live near Horsforth station, and AFAIK, this has never been extended or given the parking it needs. It caused traffic issues for miles around.We are not a Berlin or Prague. The loop road has caused more queues than it has solved and lets be honest, the A660 and A65 are the same width and direction that they were 200 years ago, they just have tarmac and streetlights now...

[Trojan]

Keg wrote: Remember that the Socialist republic of Sheffield nearly went bankrupt because of the supertram, if i remember correctly, it was the flat fare wherever,whenever that nearly did it. I think it may have been the white elephant Don Valley Stadium that nearly bankrupted them. Supertram in Sheffield is operated by Stagecoach.

[Cardiarms]

The buses were 5p anywhere until about 1983 I think.

[Phill_dvsn]

Cardiarms wrote: The buses were 5p anywhere until about 1983 I think. It was dirt cheap your right. It cost us 2p to go to Tinsley from the station in 1982.We thought the conductor was having a laugh, yes they still had conductors too lol