Metro in talks over a better West Yorkshire bus network (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)
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Metro in talks over a better West Yorkshire bus network
11:00am Saturday 27th October 2012 in News
Bus operators and Metro are back in talks over the public transport network.
The number of bus journeys taken in West Yorkshire has fallen from 235 million in 1995-96 to 180m in 2011-12.
The West Yorkshire Integrated Transport Authority, which is responsible for running the county’s public transport through Metro, wants to create a more joined-up bus network with cheaper tickets.
It has been considering two options and has now pledged to make a decision by the end of the year. The first option is a partnership with local operators who would agree to work closer together to make public transport easier and cheaper to use.
The second option is to create a London-style Quality Bus Contracts scheme, in which the transport authority would control all bus routes and set all fares from 2015, with the operators running them under contract.
The Association of Bus Operators in West Yorkshire has been vocal in its opposition to the Quality Bus Contracts idea but its first partnership proposal was rejected in June because it did not include plans for a single ticket which people could use with any bus or train company.
Now the authority has said it will consider a revised partnership agreement.
Bus operators’ spokesman Keith McNally said: “We’ve long argued that a QBC scheme is bad news for passengers in the region.
“Nobody is keener on increasing bus passenger usage in the region than the operators, so we hope that these current talks will not only see a withdrawal from the proposed QBC but also involve serious discussions on alleviating road congestion.”
But authority chairman, Councillor James Lewis, said it was not dropping the Quality Bus Contracts option. He said: “The Quality Bus Contract gives us a clear authority to direct and manage bus services in West Yorkshire, to have a properly integrated network.
“I think they [the bus companies], at the moment, have tremendous freedom to increase their revenues by decreasing services or increasing fares without reference to anybody else.”
Comments(19)
Spec0071
says...
1:19pm Sat 27 Oct 12
vikksy
says...
1:32pm Sat 27 Oct 12
Joedavid
says...
1:50pm Sat 27 Oct 12
Spec0071 wrote:Dirty buses.
A new company should take over the service is terrible. Late all the time ,rude bus drivers dangerous drivers , dirty buses. Not worth the fare you pay
That is down to the passengers it is they that leave all the rubish on the seats and floor.
Buses not like that in other parts I travel to in the country.
Joedavid
says...
1:52pm Sat 27 Oct 12
vikksy wrote:That is the Coucils fault for putting thier Metro newspaper on First Bus, First Bus should refuse to distrubute them.
Terrible bus service. I agree 612 improved BUT what was 624 which went up Rooley Ave is now 633 and stops at Parkside. So the Rooley folk only have an hourly hopper. Plus one has to stack used newspapers so we can sit down and I won't go on about the rolling pop cans.
Yorkshire Lass
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2:32pm Sat 27 Oct 12
collos25
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3:27pm Sat 27 Oct 12
Albion.
says...
3:44pm Sat 27 Oct 12
In my experience that is.
Joedavid
says...
4:06pm Sat 27 Oct 12
Albion. wrote:So why arn't the Coucils Metro giving the Contact to them instead of First?
The Keighley buses are much better than First, cleaner, more punctual, better staff and usually more modern. In my experience that is.
Is your thinking if the Keighley busses run through out Bradford they would stay clean?
Albion.
says...
4:25pm Sat 27 Oct 12
Joedavid wrote:They are showing that it CAN be done, maybe First can learn a few things.
Albion. wrote:So why arn't the Coucils Metro giving the Contact to them instead of First?
The Keighley buses are much better than First, cleaner, more punctual, better staff and usually more modern. In my experience that is.
Is your thinking if the Keighley busses run through out Bradford they would stay clean?
Huneybunch
says...
4:42pm Sat 27 Oct 12
Bornagain2him
says...
9:22pm Sat 27 Oct 12
mrs walker
says...
12:17am Sun 28 Oct 12
Joedavid
says...
9:37am Sun 28 Oct 12
mrs walker wrote:The Councils Metro should also show a map/info. of the route at the bus stops as other Counties do.
They're overpriced and unreliable. If there's two of you travelling it's usually about the same price to take a taxi. Unless First want to offer a luxury service, fares should be much cheaper, buses should run more frequently, and later in the evening, and the entire map showing bus routes should be overhauled so that you don't have to squint at every route to find the one you want.
6 different routes from my stop to Bradford no map or info. for those who do not know to select correct bus.
Maybe Metro should go?
Ian H 1971
says...
11:46am Sun 28 Oct 12
Spec0071 wrote:Buses will always be dirty if filthy, ignorant people with substandard upbringings are allowed to board the bus. Who can and cannot get on a bus should be strictly controlled, to maintain higher standards. Sadly cleanliness and hygiene are of no concern to the majority of the English.
A new company should take over the service is terrible. Late all the time ,rude bus drivers dangerous drivers , dirty buses. Not worth the fare you pay
Ian H 1971
says...
12:07pm Sun 28 Oct 12
Joedavid wrote:More important than that is the filth from their homes and lifestyles, that are ingrained in their clothing and skin. It is this that makes the seats and the air around them smell and be full of dirt or worse.
Spec0071 wrote:Dirty buses.
A new company should take over the service is terrible. Late all the time ,rude bus drivers dangerous drivers , dirty buses. Not worth the fare you pay
That is down to the passengers it is they that leave all the rubish on the seats and floor.
Buses not like that in other parts I travel to in the country.
The rubbish makes it worse of course, with half empty bottles rolling around the floor emptying their sticky smelly contents.
I've seen all kinds of horrible things during my bus journeys over the years; in the mid 1980s while returning home from school, a deaf person right next to me began to masturbate and **** on the seat!
Albion.
says...
12:20pm Sun 28 Oct 12
Ian H 1971 wrote:How relevant was the "deaf" bit? :-)
Joedavid wrote:More important than that is the filth from their homes and lifestyles, that are ingrained in their clothing and skin. It is this that makes the seats and the air around them smell and be full of dirt or worse.
Spec0071 wrote:Dirty buses.
A new company should take over the service is terrible. Late all the time ,rude bus drivers dangerous drivers , dirty buses. Not worth the fare you pay
That is down to the passengers it is they that leave all the rubish on the seats and floor.
Buses not like that in other parts I travel to in the country.
The rubbish makes it worse of course, with half empty bottles rolling around the floor emptying their sticky smelly contents.
I've seen all kinds of horrible things during my bus journeys over the years; in the mid 1980s while returning home from school, a deaf person right next to me began to masturbate and **** on the seat!
Ian H 1971
says...
1:38pm Sun 28 Oct 12
johnhem
says...
9:06pm Sun 28 Oct 12
i can't remember the last time i caught a bus in this country, and do not envisage it happening as long as i can sit behind the wheel of my car.
from wibsey to rown on a bus for 2 people is about the same price as a taxi. get 2/3/4 people to go at the same time and save half your fare, better passengers by your side, practically door to door service too. buses? soddem!!
Joedavid says...
11:54am Sat 27 Oct 12