The dreaded FIRST BUS!

[dogduke]

This might be of interest to some membersEmail from local councillorFairer Fares for AllHi All,Just a quick message before the weekend to remind people that we are looking for your experiences in Leeds and surrounding areas!The campaign picked up a further article in the Guardian Leeds Blog this week as well as picking up the support of a number of councillors as well as Ed Balls and Stuart Andrew MP. This is now showing that a lot of people in Leeds are disgusted with the services they are receiving.We would like to hear from people that have had to use a taxi after waiting for extended periods for a bus at any time of the day. Drop us a line at [email protected] campaign has been asked to meet Metro again in late January to go over our findings and your comments so far have been brilliant in showing the failings of Leeds Bus service.Tell your friends about the campaign and raise the profile further for a better service in Leeds. And one last comment of have a great weekend if you’re working or not enjoy your time.www.fairerfares.co.ukLet’s show we want a better bus service!

[raveydavey]

On that website, Ed Balls says "Many people rely on public transport to get to work, school or the shops. The buses provide a vital service for people who don’t live in the centre of the city and I fully support the campaign for improved services, better regulation and fair fares for all. "All of which would carry significantly more weight with me if Mr Balls and his chums had done ANYTHING about sorting out the farce that is public transport in Leeds during the 13 years they were in power. That is the time period in which things have deteriorated to the current abysmal level and prices have gone through the roof. By fair means or foul, First have been allowed to tie Leeds up in a virtual monopoly which is in no-one's interests except their own.

[Crazy Jane]

Waited nearly an hour to get a 49/50 yesterday teatime, i know the lights were due to be switched on but that wasn;t until 7!Actually i really waited half an hour then walked, and the 49 passed me just after the stop i'd have got off of anyway. Assuming it hadn't taken some sort of detour and missed the stop i would have got on, erm, or something.

[raveydavey]

Crazy Jane wrote: Waited nearly an hour to get a 49/50 yesterday teatime, i know the lights were due to be switched on but that wasn;t until 7!Actually i really waited half an hour then walked, and the 49 passed me just after the stop i'd have got off of anyway. Assuming it hadn't taken some sort of detour and missed the stop i would have got on, erm, or something. There is something on another thread about this - apparently someone at the council started closing The Headrow from 5pm (for the 7pm switch on) and all the traffic was diverted elsewhere resulting in near gridlock. Great idea by someone though, not.Think it's on the Transport Planner having a clue thread.

[Loiner1960]

Ed Balls can wind his neck in. As one of his constituents I have watched the 481 disappear the 85 go from hourly and to Moortown to 6 buses a day from 10:20am and none on Sunday. Please bring back a proper service run by Leeds for Leeds. Also bring back BR. No none of it will happen. We're doomed all doomed...

[tyke bhoy]

raveydavey wrote: There is something on another thread about this - apparently someone at the council started closing The Headrow from 5pm (for the 7pm switch on) and all the traffic was diverted elsewhere resulting in near gridlock. Great idea by someone though, not.Think it's on the Transport Planner having a clue thread. twas me and you have the correct thread. Not sure it would have affected Jane though as the closure from 5.00 or earlier was only the eastbound stretch of the Headrow in front of the Town Hall. It did mean all buses and the few cars were forced onto Great George Street which of course doesn't get much of a green light at Calverley street where it becomes part of the loop. It would have added a little more congestion to the Headrow westbound between Albion Street and Park Row as the diverted traffic that needed Park Row got back on track. Cookridge Street from the Headrow to Great George Street had presumably been closed most/all day as it was used as a fairground but that closure wouldn't have a major effect on traffic flow. What beats me though is why the stretch of the Headrow was closed at all as the focal point of the lights switch on is Victoria Gardens (?) in front of the Library/Art Gallery

[Riponian]

Now this lot of Robin Hoods* have said they're not going to put up their fares next year, but not giving hints about the changes at the end of next month. Maybe a few services "no need for a timetable" are to become "consult the calendar" lol.*Of course those who do remember Barton's buses in Nottingham, these were a different and unconnected operation.

[patter]

There's a good spot in the Independent this morning about the whole problemhttp://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/com ... 67443.html

[raveydavey]

It took mrs ravey 90 minutes to get home on the bus tonight. That is via the misguided busway and bus priority traffic lights on York RoadEven in rush hour traffic and with all the above to hold you up in the car it only takes 20 minutes. No wonder people don't use the bus - and that's before we mention the rip off fares that they are very generously not putting up.

[Crazy Jane]

The last time i used the 49/50 run about 4pm, the first bus to come was full and i couln;t get on, the 2nd i only just crammed on and had to stand all the way to the Merry Monk.Come to think of it, when i went across to Manchester by train in early December on a Sunday afternoon, i had to stand all the way, there wasn't even enough space for people to sit down in the door areas.