New firms to take over Wharfedale and Aireborough bus routes (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

New firms to take over Wharfedale and Aireborough bus routes

New bus companies have been chosen to operate on several routes in Wharfedale and Aireborough.

Centrebus has been chosen to run the 747 route from Bradford to Leeds Bradford Airport via Greengates and Apperley Bridge and the 737 service from Bradford to the airport via Shipley and Guiseley.

Both services will operate on an hourly basis from 5am to midnight, seven days a week.

Bradford’s TLC Travel Ltd, meanwhile – which took over the Bradford to Otley section of the former First-run 653 service last summer – is to run the 967 from Menston train station to the airport via Otley and Pool-in-Wharfedale every half hour, again from 5am to midnight, seven days a week.

Metro chairman Councillor Ryk Downes (Lib Dem, Otley and Yeadon) said: “It’s good news that we have finally seen some meaningful competition and I look forward to the new services opertating efficiently, reliably and, hopefully, increasing patronage in this area.

“Having airport buses running from 5am to midnight means staff can use buses to access the airport as well as passengers. The airport needs to increase the numbers of people who access it using public transport.

“It will be good for people in Otley, for example, who have early morning flights to catch and for those returning in the evening who won’t have to pay for a taxi.”

Centrebus was also favoured by Metro’s tendered services committee, which met yester-day, to take over the running of the 757 from Leeds to the airport via Kirkstall Road on a half-hourly, 5am to midnight, basis each day of the week.

But the situation with the 757 (which will have a through-ticketing system with the 967 so passengers from Menston, Otley and Pool can catch a connecting bus to Leeds) has been complicated by the fact current operator, First, has also registered a commercial (7am to 7pm) route.

Metro says it will be up to Leeds Bradford Airport, as a private landowner, to decide which company to make a licensing agreement with.

The new-look services are due to begin on April 25 and the new contracts are for three years.