Latest news with #X84
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
'I've lost my independence since bus was axed'
A man with autism has said the removal of a direct bus service through his village has made him feel "less free and independent". Oliver Heap, 22, used the number 25, which was one of two routes introduced by operator First to replace the X84 express between Leeds and Ilkley in October. However, after an outcry from passengers, the X84 was reinstated on 23 February, meaning the 25 and 26 no longer serve Pool-in-Wharfedale. First said it would consider altering the route of the X84 if there was "agreement" among residents of the communities it serves. Mr Heap used the 25 to travel from Pool to Leeds to see friends and to attend a skills workshop in Ilkley. "The direct bus means that if I just randomly decide I want to go somewhere, I don't have to go and tell my parents," he said. He now has to changes buses during the journey or ask his parents to drive him to Otley to pick up the X84. His mother, Lucy Heap, said: "Having the bus was really liberating. "We didn't have to worry about how he was going to get anywhere, he suddenly had his freedom." She added: "Hearing that the bus was being withdrawn after such a short period of time, I was absolutely gutted. "I just thought, 'Oliver's independence is going to suffer,' and it is suffering." Mr Heap said his search for a job had been made more difficult because of the lack of a direct bus link. "It might be the right location but the wrong sort of environment for me, or the wrong location but the right sort of environment or job," he said. Mr Heap's parents are campaigning for the service to be brought back. They carried out a survey of 244 local residents, about 14% of the village population, who collectively committed to making 989 weekly journeys on it. His father, Tony Heap, said First were "very willing to listen". "They're keen to try and find something that works for everyone, but it also has to be financially viable," he said. Discussions about a potential subsidy from the West Yorkshire Combined Authority were taking place with their local councillor, he added. The limited-stop X84 was reinstated after more than 3,000 people signed a petition set up by Sarah Carmody. She said it felt "fantastic" to be able to use the service, which doesn't pick up or drop off passengers between the city centre and Weetwood. "It does feel like it's had a positive impact for the people in Adel, Otley and further on in Ilkley, but I do find it difficult that the residents of Pool to seem to have been woefully abandoned," she said. Ms Carmody also raised concerns about reported cancellations and late-running services, made worse by a frequency of 40 minutes. A spokesperson for First said they were "happy to look at possible changes" to the X84. This followed a meeting with local councillor, Barry Anderson, and some residents, they said. "If a proposal to the Combined Authority for funding to support an additional service is accepted we would work with its transport team to introduce this," they added. Responding to concerns about reliability, the spokesperson said: "Since we reinstated the original X84 route on the 23 February with a revised frequency to manage traffic conditions, punctuality has improved by 12%." Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North. Return of city centre express bus X84 bus to be reinstated following backlash Extra buses aim to help 'full to bursting' service
BBC News
21-03-2025
- General
- BBC News
Man with autism says bus cuts have left him 'less free'
A man with autism has said the removal of a direct bus service through his village has made him feel "less free and independent".Oliver Heap, 22, used the number 25, which was one of two routes introduced by operator First to replace the X84 express between Leeds and Ilkley in after an outcry from passengers, the X84 was reinstated on 23 February, meaning the 25 and 26 no longer serve said it would consider altering the route of the X84 if there was "agreement" among residents of the communities it serves. Mr Heap used the 25 to travel from Pool to Leeds to see friends and to attend a skills workshop in Ilkley."The direct bus means that if I just randomly decide I want to go somewhere, I don't have to go and tell my parents," he now has to changes buses during the journey or ask his parents to drive him to Otley to pick up the mother, Lucy Heap, said: "Having the bus was really liberating."We didn't have to worry about how he was going to get anywhere, he suddenly had his freedom." 'Gutted' at loss She added: "Hearing that the bus was being withdrawn after such a short period of time, I was absolutely gutted."I just thought, 'Oliver's independence is going to suffer,' and it is suffering."Mr Heap said his search for a job had been made more difficult because of the lack of a direct bus link."It might be the right location but the wrong sort of environment for me, or the wrong location but the right sort of environment or job," he said. Mr Heap's parents are campaigning for the service to be brought carried out a survey of 244 local residents, about 14% of the village population, who collectively committed to making 989 weekly journeys on father, Tony Heap, said First were "very willing to listen"."They're keen to try and find something that works for everyone, but it also has to be financially viable," he about a potential subsidy from the West Yorkshire Combined Authority were taking place with their local councillor, he added. The limited-stop X84 was reinstated after more than 3,000 people signed a petition set up by Sarah said it felt "fantastic" to be able to use the service, which doesn't pick up or drop off passengers between the city centre and Weetwood."It does feel like it's had a positive impact for the people in Adel, Otley and further on in Ilkley, but I do find it difficult that the residents of Pool to seem to have been woefully abandoned," she Carmody also raised concerns about reported cancellations and late-running services, made worse by a frequency of 40 minutes. A spokesperson for First said they were "happy to look at possible changes" to the followed a meeting with local councillor, Barry Anderson, and some residents, they said."If a proposal to the Combined Authority for funding to support an additional service is accepted we would work with its transport team to introduce this," they to concerns about reliability, the spokesperson said: "Since we reinstated the original X84 route on the 23 February with a revised frequency to manage traffic conditions, punctuality has improved by 12%." Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
Yahoo
23-02-2025
- Yahoo
Return of city centre express bus
An express bus service is running again between Leeds and nearby towns - four months after it was scrapped. The limited-stop X84 connects Ilkley and Otley with the city centre. Last October, it was replaced with slower alternatives which First Bus said would provide "better reliability, punctuality and connectivity". However, the changes were unpopular with many commuters and the service has been reinstated after more than 3,000 people signed a petition. The replacement 25 and 26 services, introduced in October, allowed passengers to get on and off the bus at any stop along the route. Commuters told the BBC the services were an "utter shambles", with some having to walk around a mile (1.6km) from the university to the bus station to make sure they got a seat. Katie White, MP for Leeds North West, said the changes were "completely unreliable" and were causing people "a lot of frustration". In December, First introduced "duplicate buses" to help improve capacity. However the X84, reinstated on Sunday, signals a return to a limited-stop service. Passengers travelling towards Ilkley will not be able to get off the bus between the city centre and Weetwood - and those travelling into the city will not be able to board as it travels through Headingley. On weekdays and Saturdays, buses will run every 40 minutes, and on Sundays they will run every hour during the day. Since October, people in Pool-in-Wharfedale have also had a direct connection to Leeds city centre - as it was included on the route of the new 25 service. However, this has been scrapped as part of the timetable introduced on Sunday. Instead, the 25 will now only run between the city centre and Lawnswood School, on weekdays. Other alterations as part of February's timetable changes include the 22 and 28 services in Leeds no longer running to the railway station. A spokesperson for First Bus said: "This decision is the result of an extensive review and builds on the immediate actions we took to improve journeys on the existing 25/26 service which replaced the X84." A full summary of all the February timetable changes is available on the West Yorkshire Metro website. Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North or tell us a story you think we should be covering here. West Yorkshire Metro First Bus West Yorkshire
BBC News
23-02-2025
- BBC News
Express X84 bus running again between Leeds, Otley and Ilkley
An express bus service is running again between Leeds and nearby towns - four months after it was limited-stop X84 connects Ilkley and Otley with the city October, it was replaced with slower alternatives which First Bus said would provide "better reliability, punctuality and connectivity".However, the changes were unpopular with many commuters and the service has been reinstated after more than 3,000 people signed a petition. Limited stops are back The replacement 25 and 26 services, introduced in October, allowed passengers to get on and off the bus at any stop along the told the BBC the services were an "utter shambles", with some having to walk around a mile (1.6km) from the university to the bus station to make sure they got a White, MP for Leeds North West, said the changes were "completely unreliable" and were causing people "a lot of frustration". In December, First introduced "duplicate buses" to help improve the X84, reinstated on Sunday, signals a return to a limited-stop travelling towards Ilkley will not be able to get off the bus between the city centre and Weetwood - and those travelling into the city will not be able to board as it travels through weekdays and Saturdays, buses will run every 40 minutes, and on Sundays they will run every hour during the day. Pool service scrapped Since October, people in Pool-in-Wharfedale have also had a direct connection to Leeds city centre - as it was included on the route of the new 25 this has been scrapped as part of the timetable introduced on the 25 will now only run between the city centre and Lawnswood School, on alterations as part of February's timetable changes include the 22 and 28 services in Leeds no longer running to the railway station.A spokesperson for First Bus said: "This decision is the result of an extensive review and builds on the immediate actions we took to improve journeys on the existing 25/26 service which replaced the X84."A full summary of all the February timetable changes is available on the West Yorkshire Metro website. Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North or tell us a story you think we should be covering here.
