More needs to be done to improve the reliability of a lifeline bus service through Calverley and Rodley – despite recent improvements.
Angry commuters last year criticised the number 35 bus route, criticising its lack of reliability which had left passengers stranded and unable to get home on occasions.
But figures from bus giants First say punctuality across the route of the number 35 has increased from just over 55% late last year, to 84% in March.
This follows the introduction of a new timetable in January.
Calverley and Farsley councillor Peter Carlill says the service is still facing regular delays and cancellations. He told The Dispatch:
“Residents of Calverley and Rodley need a bus service that is reliable and fit for purpose. Although the figures show an improvement – and I thank First for the effort they’ve made so far – it’s clear listening to residents that it doesn’t go far enough.
“There are still regular delays and cancellations at peak times and I know residents who have had to leave their jobs just because they couldn’t get to Leeds and back on time.
“I will continue to push for improvements to this service and other bus routes in the area, and to push more widely to give the council more powers to control bus provision. It’s clear that de-regulation of the network has not worked in the majority of cases and has only succeeded in opening up a huge divide between the quality of services in London and those in the rest of the country.”
The original 670 route had a 73% punctuality rate, which is what triggered the original overhaul and cancellation of that route and its replacement by the 35.
First has said that it is monitoring the service. They said back in December that journeys had been severely affected by both the congestion hot-spots on the route, road-works and seasonal increases in traffic levels, with some buses taking up to 20 minutes to get through the Harrogate Road / Greengates junction.
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