Councillor calls for answers on no show buses (Leeds Liberal Democrats)

Leeds Liberal Democrats <info@leedslibdems.org.uk>

Councillor calls for answers on no show buses

March 22, 2006 12:00 AM

Leeds City Councillor Ryk Downes has asked transport chiefs for answers as to why scores of commuters were left stranded at a city centre bus stop yesterday evening. Resurfacing works on the Headrow meant passengers waiting to board services to the north east of the city at bus stops on New Briggate after 1800 hrs were redirected to temporary stops on Merrion Street. However on arriving on Merrion Street commuters found no temporary bus stops in place and drivers unwilling to pick up from the roadside. This left them having to find alternative bus stops further out of the city centre in the freezing cold.

Councillor Ryk Downes (Leeds Lib Dem representative on the West Yorkshire Passenger Transport Authority) said 'I have raised this issue with Metro, asking them why a temporary bus stop was not put in place and why First Bus drivers had failed to pick up redirected passengers from Merrion Street. Metro have explained that contractors had failed to put out a temporary stop last night but the problem will be rectified by tonight and that First Bus has given them assurances that services will stop on Merrion Street. At a time of Gridlock in Leeds we need to make sure all public transport is accessible to encourage people out of their cars. I am pleased that those concerned have been able to react swiftly to hopefully avoid a re-occurrence of the problem tonight.'

The views in this Press Release are those of the Liberal Democrat Council Group, and not necessarily those of Leeds City Council, its Officers or of the Liberal Democrat Party.