£74k boost for hi-tech city link bus (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)
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£74k boost for hi-tech city link bus
9:00am Saturday 16th June 2012 in Bradford
By Dolores Cowburn, Bradford Chief Reporter
JUST THE TICKET: One of the rapid-transit buses currently in operation in Leeds
West Yorkshire commuters are set to benefit from a major new project including internet on buses after transport operators and local authorities agreed to plough £74,000 into a bus route connecting Bradford and Leeds.
First, the region’s principal bus operator, is working in partnership with West Yorkshire ITA (WYITA), Metro, Leeds City Council and Bradford Council, to establish the first phase of a rapid-transit-style service between Leeds and Bradford, Service 72, which will start in October.
First will put in the vehicles while the WYITA are upgrading their infrastructure to cope with the service, operating every seven minutes from Monday to Saturday.
A WYITA meeting yesterday saw the £74,000 earmarked from Metro’s Local Transport Plan.
First Group has recently withdrawn its fleet of articulated streetcar buses from service in York which will now be used for the 72 Service.
The Leeds-Bradford route is listed in the Leeds City Region Transport Strategy as one of the most important corridors and over the last 18 months the frequency of the service has increased from three buses per hour to eight.
Dave Alexander, regional managing director for First in the North of England, said: “This is an exciting strategically important project that will bring significant economic and social benefits to Leeds and Bradford.
“We look forward to strengthening the agreement between First, WYITA, Metro, Leeds and Bradford Councils to help us achieve our joint aim of achieving passenger growth leading to a more sustainable transport system in West Yorkshire.”
Bus customers on Service 4, Pudsey-Leeds-Seacroft will also benefit as part of the project. The opportunity will be taken to extend the service in Pudsey to Thornbury Barracks and Highfield Green, following requests from residents, using modern low-floor double deck vehicles.
“This will be a significant investment in vehicles and infrastructure by Metro and First,” Metro chairman Coun James Lewis said. “As well as the refurbished buses, many shelters and bus stops along the route in Armley, Stanningley, Thornbury and Bradford Moor will be updated and given raised kerbing to allow level boarding for customers.
“This important development on the corridor between Leeds and Bradford and the improved service will help reduce congestion by offering commuters an attractive alternative to the car.”
Comments(14)
bradfordrich
says...
10:57am Sat 16 Jun 12
Tim Love
says...
11:51am Sat 16 Jun 12
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Who the hell thought up this stupidity ?
mad matt
says...
2:17pm Sat 16 Jun 12
pockman
says...
2:24pm Sat 16 Jun 12
Joedavid
says...
3:26pm Sat 16 Jun 12
bradfordrich wrote:Are these the buses that were in Bradford before and withdrawn because they were no good?
What a stupid idea, the most uncomfy poorly designed buses conceived on this busy route.....this is going be unpopular
*
I use the 670 to Leeds from my part of Bradford this should be looked at to shorten the route and drivers to drive faster (not over speed limits of course).
Albion.
says...
3:27pm Sat 16 Jun 12
Tim Love wrote:The customers?
So customers can leave Bradford to shop in Leeds ?
.
Who the hell thought up this stupidity ?
tjbantam
says...
4:20pm Sat 16 Jun 12
mad matt wrote:This IS an upgrade of the 72 (allegedly), however given these ftr's are slower, less comfortable, less economical, less reliable and require additional staff (good for employment, but less profitable as a result), whether it is really an upgrade remains to be seen.
There are already several bus routes and two rail routes between Bradford and Leeds, Why not just upgrade them?
@joedavid: No, these are worse than the bendibuses that used to run the 617&618.
bradfordrich
says...
12:17am Sun 17 Jun 12
tjbantam wrote:agree entirely, they have shoved them onto the 72 as there is no where else for the things... appalling seating too
mad matt wrote:This IS an upgrade of the 72 (allegedly), however given these ftr's are slower, less comfortable, less economical, less reliable and require additional staff (good for employment, but less profitable as a result), whether it is really an upgrade remains to be seen.
There are already several bus routes and two rail routes between Bradford and Leeds, Why not just upgrade them?
@joedavid: No, these are worse than the bendibuses that used to run the 617&618.
pockman
says...
1:38pm Sun 17 Jun 12
baby_boi_uk
says...
3:20pm Sun 17 Jun 12
• they're a completely different vehicle to the ones used on the Holme Wood - Allerton route.
• they're undergoing a major refurbishment, with new seating, Internet access, iBus information and possibly a local identity livery.
• they're introducing a new ticketing system to avoid the whole conductor process.
I think it will be great as apparently there's also further investment due in the Bradford area with hybrid buses soon so at least they're making an effort!
tjbantam
says...
8:20pm Sun 17 Jun 12
Bradford had earlier, more conventional bendies where the driver was also responsible for selling tickets, rather than being locked up front in a seperate cab. These buses are used in Leeds on the 95 painted Orange and Blue.
tjbantam
says...
8:25pm Sun 17 Jun 12
There were rumours that they would be put onto the 72, but that isn't happening and it's gonna be the Purple People Eaters instead.
At this stage in time, operators even the size of First only take Hybrids when government provides financial help due to the extra cost of purchase making them less profitable initially.
bradfordrich
says...
8:28pm Sun 17 Jun 12
baby_boi_uk wrote:I can assure you First bradford is not getting Ibus, the FTRs will likely get a reapint and that is it, as for the further investment, quite a few of the new buses for the Olympics will come up to West Yorkshire...
I know a few people who work at first, so I got an inside scoop! :D
• they're a completely different vehicle to the ones used on the Holme Wood - Allerton route.
• they're undergoing a major refurbishment, with new seating, Internet access, iBus information and possibly a local identity livery.
• they're introducing a new ticketing system to avoid the whole conductor process.
I think it will be great as apparently there's also further investment due in the Bradford area with hybrid buses soon so at least they're making an effort!
The idea for hybrids is old news, they went to Leeds instead hence the FTR's coming on the 72
bigang02 says...
10:38am Sat 16 Jun 12