Bus passengers are being asked for their views on the long term future of the service.

A three-month consultation on West Yorkshire’s transport systems has been launched.

West Yorkshire Combined Authority, in partnership with district authorities and bus operators First West Yorkshire, Arriva and Transdev, is working to produce new, 20-year West Yorkshire Bus and Transport strategy

Dozens of consultation sessions are being held across the county, including in Kirklees.

The feedback received will be used to develop the new strategies.

Clr Taj Salam, West Yorkshire Combined Authority Transport Committee member, said: “Buses are by far the most highly used form of public transport with around 180 million bus journeys being made in West Yorkshire every year.

“Although they are effective at relieving congestion and connecting people with jobs, training and essential services, they can too often be seen as expensive, unreliable and a last resort rather than a positive choice.

“We want to hear the views of people who use buses, but if we are going to develop a bus network that more people will choose to use in the future, we also want to hear from people who don’t or won’t use them now.”

Roger Marsh OBE, Chair of the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (LEP) said: “Buses play an important role in getting people to places and enhance the Leeds City Region economy, which means if bus services are poor they can act as a brake on our economy and growth.

“This is why we are working with the bus industry to carry out this consultation and engage with those people that use the services and make it work for them.

“I would encourage members of the business community to take part in this consultation and work with us to create a bus network that meets the needs of the 21st Century commuters.”

A full list of the drop-in sessions can be found at www.yourtravelyoursay.co.uk along with online version of the questionnaires, and drafts and summaries of the Bus and Transport Strategies.