Shocking cuts hit Huddersfield First Bus services - is your bus affected?
Oct 22 2010 by Kevin Core, Huddersfield Daily Examiner
Shocking cuts hit Huddersfield First Bus services
FIRST Bus has announced an eye-watering series of cancellations to Huddersfield services.
The move, described as “appalling” by one Kirklees councillor, is set to take effect on Halloween.
Bosses at the company say they have been forced to cut back the timetable to reflect customer demand and cited “a challenging economic time”.
Commuter Lonnie Francis of Kirkheaton, who works in a betting shop, said: “These changes mean I can’t get the bus back from work. I often work on Sundays at different locations. The withdrawal of evening services means the 371 won’t operate between Upper Heaton and Dalton or on Crosland Road.
“This is going to leave people utterly stranded. For many it will be horrendous.”
Newsome Green councillor Andrew Cooper said: “This is appalling. It is ridiculous to call this a bus service. It’s a bus business.
“These changes will affect those on the lowest income who have already been hit hard by the spending review.
“The situation will only get worse as there will be cuts to come from Metro, it’s the tip of the iceberg.
“This kind of decision also impacts on the shops and offices of people who get the day ready for everyone else, who provide services as others go to work.
“It leaves people choosing between taxis or cars and more expense to park.
“First Bus is making people more uncertain about using public transport, having a negative impact on the environment and on people’s pockets.”
Richard Harris, commercial director for First in West Yorkshire, said: “We regularly review services across our bus network to meet customer demand.
“We have looked very carefully at what journeys passengers are making and services or journeys are only being withdrawn where there just too few people to justify them. It is neither economically nor environmentally wise to consume resources and produce emissions from empty buses.
“We have consulted Metro about these changes and have made some alterations to our proposed changes after talks with them. We have also agreed to consult more with Metro on any future service changes.
“These changes have only been made in response to customer demand, at what is still a challenging economic time. We have worked hard to ensure that First continues to provide bus services in all the areas currently served.
“We have taken a responsible decision to match resource levels with demand and in the future will continue to consider service development as demand grows.”
