BUS users in the Holme Valley will be given more time to persuade transport bosses to keep their vital services.
Following a consultation with Metro, First Bus has agreed to postpone its planned cuts and service changes in the area.
Clr Martyn Bolt, cabinet member for transport on Kirklees Council, welcomed the decision and said he would like to see more extensive consultation with users before transport companies announce cuts.
He said: “I am very pleased with this decision and it shows the hard work done by my colleagues in the Holme Valley who have been arranging meetings with officers and their constituents, which has proven fruitful.
“We now want to look at putting in a feasible and long lasting public transport system in the Holme Valley as public transport is a lifeline for some people.”
The cuts were due to come into force this Sunday but the postponement will now last until December 10 to give more time for consultation with the affected communities.
It means bus users, backed by the council, will now be able to appeal against the proposals to withdraw what they say are vital services.
First Bus had planned to cut the 309, 310 and 311, with changes to other services including new times or additional stopping points, but they will now meet the communities to get more response to the proposals.
Clr Bolt added: “I was at a meeting only last week in Kirkburton and the anger from the residents about the cuts to their services was evident. The Passenger Transport Authority (PTA) and transport providers need to look at it like this; those residents play a key part in minimising congestion on our roads and we need to listen to their views.
“There needs to be more consultation from the PTA, Metro and transport providers and if there are not sufficient people using the bus services then we need to know about it long before the axe comes down.
“Stagecoach bosses said last week in London that in some areas they undertake extensive marketing, ringing people up and asking them for their views, and we need that in Kirklees.”
