Bus passengers have reacted with fury at plans by Metro to axe an evening bus service between Ilkley and Otley.

A number of users of the 963 bus, which provides an hourly evening link between llkley and Otley via Burley village between 7pm and 11pm, were shocked to learn last week that Metro is planning to cancel the service from next January.

They are so incensed at the decision to pull the service, which extends beyond Otley to Bradford via Shipley on two journeys each evening, they have started a campaign in a bid to have the decision reversed.

A petition is now under way and the campaign group intend to seek support from as many influential people and organisations as possible.

Sandy MacPherson, of Ben Rhydding, who is spearheading the campaign, said: “Quite frankly I find this decision both inexplicable and unacceptable.

“How can Metro even think of cutting off people who live in Ilkley, Burley, etc from the city they are a part of, never mind being unable to get to Asda in Shipley or Morrisons in Guiseley or more importantly other places like hospitals in Bradford.

“This bus is particularly important for pensioners for whom the train is often less convenient and more expensive. A bus pass is a fat lot of good if there is no blooming bus to catch! In difficult times this sort of thing must simply not be allowed to happen.”

Mr MacPherson started collecting signatures at Ilkley bus station on Sunday and said they filled a couple of sheets easily. He added: “Nobody refused to sign and everybody we approached was pretty hacked off at the news. We were fortunate to collar Councillor Ralph Berry who was out canvassing support for his candidature in Keighley. He did not take much persuading to sign the petition and promised us his support and would take it up with his colleagues in Bradford and the chair of Metro.”

The campaign group is now seeking to put copies of the petition in accessible locations so supporters can add their names.

However, defending the decision to end the service, Metro said passenger use of the service was very low, with an average of 36 passengers per evening, resulting in a high subsidy per passenger of £4.67, beyond the level which Metro identifies as value for money for taxpayers. It says continued funding of this service is not justified and recommends the withdrawal of the service when the current contract expires.

Savings made from withdrawing the 963 services in January will be used to offset the additional costs of the 967, a service from Otley to Leeds Bradford Airport which was under threat after the airport said it would no longer financially support the route.

A Metro spokesman said: “Evenings-only service 963 is lightly used, and much of the route is served by services 33, 33A, 737 and X84.

“Withdrawing this service will provide better value for Council Tax payers, and means that service 967, which has seen its funding withdrawn by Leeds Bradford International Airport’s owners, can be retained to Pool and the Airport at a reduced frequency.”