Representatives from bus company First have pledged to listen to concerns about changes to bus services in Pudsey.
At a packed meeting of the Pudsey and Swinnow Community Forum, local residents expressed their opposition to bus changes affecting the Fulneck, Valley Road and Kent Road areas of Pudsey.
The current X14 service, which provides a reasonably quick journey to the city centre, will be replaced by a route which diverts through Bramley Shopping Centre and the Raynvilles.
The changes have increased journey times from around 40 minutes to around 55 minutes.
Councillor Josie Jarosz (Labour, Pudsey) said:
“I cannot remember such an outcry from the public in Pudsey about bus changes. Whilst I welcome First’s proposals for the X11 and the number 4 services, it is the western fringe of Pudsey – where bus choices are already limited – that will suffer the most.
“Many current bus users are telling us that they’ll have no option but to switch to using their cars, which will only make congestion and air quality worse.
“A representative from First did attend the resident’s meeting and has promised to return after the summer to listen to feedback on how the new services are going – and I expect just as big a turnout again!”
Representatives from First have agreed to attend a follow-up meeting on 7th September, taking place at 7.30pm at Café Lux in Pudsey town centre.
Local councillors have welcomed other changes are taking place to bus services in Pudsey.
