Yorkshire Buses: Families ‘struggling to get children to school’ after bus company ceases operations
Communities in Yorkshire have been left in shock after Yorkshire Buses ceased operations - affecting planned school drop offs, hospital visits and commuters.
Yorkshire Buses announced in a statement to Facebook the company would cease operations as of 8pm on Tuesday March 31.
The shock closure affected services getting children to school and commuters to work the following day.
In its announcement, Yorkshire Buses pointed to the rising cost of fuel and other price increases affecting the sustainability of its business.
The statement reads: “This has not been an easy decision, and it is one we have fought hard to avoid however with further cost increases forecast on the horizon the decision has had to be made sooner rather than later.”
Olivia Rowley is a councillor for the Ossett & Gawthorpe ward, where the 116 is the only bus service through Ossett, serving a Wakefield to Leeds route.
She told The Yorkshire Post how families were struggling to get their children to school.
Coun Rowley said: “I’m doing my utmost to ensure service is restored and we remain hopeful at the moment.”
Luke Farley, a councillor for the Burmantofts and Richmond Hill ward, echoed these sentiments, informing residents that their 61/61A across the ward between St James’ Hospital and South Leeds would cease to run.
Together with other ward councillors, he said he is calling on the West Yorkshire Combined Authority to find an alternative provider as soon as possible.
Coun Farley said: “This is clearly bad news for residents and it is bad news for the workers of Yorkshire Buses. People across Burmantofts and Richmond Hill are disproportionately impacted.”
Yorkshire Buses later shared a Facebook post from another small bus company, City Transport Group, based in Newcastle, that said its fuel prices had risen 47 per cent from Feb 1 to April 1.
The post reads: “The current fuel crisis is very much a small-medium enterprise problem; we have no buying power, and whether bus/truck operators have their own tank or use fuel cards at a filling station, the volatility and exposure is there.”
Jade Botteril, MP for Ossett and Denby Dale, said she was “very disappointed to hear that Yorkshire Buses intend to cease their operations”.
“I know many residents will be concerned about the impact on bus services in our area”, the MP added.
Some commenters were upset about the late notice given by the company and others shared sympathy with drivers and noted the difficulties in running a small business.
One commenter said: “Hopefully this will be sorted quickly by wymetro - the 116 is the bus that takes my son and his friends to Elliot Hudson College. The service was unreliable anyway but being nonexistent is worse!”
Peter Carlill is a councillor for Calverley and Farsley, where the 30 bus through Calverley, Woodhall and Pudsey was one of those affected.
Coun Carlill said: “This is yet another reduction of bus services in the area, albeit temporary, but highlights why the move to taking bus services back from private operation into public control is necessary.”
“We are also concerned about the drivers, who have been given short notice of an end to their contacts. We have asked [West Yorkshire Combined Authority] they are supported to find work with another operator.”
A West Yorkshire Combined Authority spokesperson confirmed to the Yorkshire Post Yorkshire Buses had ceased operations and they were working hard to ensure disruption is kept to a minimum.
The WYCA advised passengers to check the Metro website for updates to routes.
West Yorkshire Metro said: “We are working hard to ensure disruption is kept to a minimum and are seeking alternative operators to cover the following services:
Service 30 – Horsforth - Pudsey (off peak service) UPDATE: These services will be replaced from April 7 on a temporary contract until July
Service 61 – St James Hospital - Hunslet (South Leeds Stadium) UPDATE: These services will be replaced from April 7 on a temporary contract until July
Service 116 – Leeds – Ossett - Wakefield UPDATE: These services will be replaced from April 7 on a temporary contract until July
Service 118 – Wakefield - White Rose Centre (evenings only. Daytime service operated by Arriva is not affected)
Service 212 – Wakefield - Batley – Dewsbury UPDATE: These services will be replaced from April 7 on a temporary contract until July
Service 1 – Leeds – Wakefield is also affected.”