Regional transports chiefs look set to spend millions of pounds on more bus infrastructure in Leeds.
Representatives of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA), which oversees transport services in the region, will discuss plans to spend £7m on an extra 1,000 ‘real-time bus screens’ at a meeting on Thursday.
It is hoped the scheme will help boost bus passenger numbers over the next decade.
There are currently 520 real time displays in bus shelters around Leeds, but most of these are in the city centre. It’s understood the new screens will be based outside the city centre in areas across the city, including West Leeds.
A report from WYCA officers said:
“Overall this will promote the local bus network in Leeds and improve the offer for existing customers as well as growing the market by attracting new customers.
“Along with other measures this scheme will contribute to the overarching aim of doubling bus patronage within Leeds in the next 10 years.”
It’s part of the Leeds Public Transport Investment Programme, which members hope will create an extra 2,000 jobs and help reduce carbon emissions by getting more people on the bus.
Councillors on the authority are expected to approve in principle the £7.2m total cost, while granting initial costs of £1.74m to buy and install the first 490 units.
The report added:
“There is evidenced demand for the project, to increase customer satisfaction with existing bus users and the highly visible nature of the units is anticipated to drive demand from non-bus users.
“The Combined Authority has good knowledge and experience of delivering this type of scheme and has well trusted suppliers, so is confident in delivering the project competently within budget and timescale.”
This is not a viable option as we have had a new screen in our bus stop for less 6 months. When it stopped working cant get it fixed. REPORTED in so many times and no action taken. Don’t think this sort of spend is acceptable under the circumstances or is it we in East Leeds aren’t as important. Took years of asking to get one installed looking like the same to get ours fixed.