Poor bus services hit chances for job seekers, warns report
BUS COMPANIES have been criticised for making huge pay-outs to shareholders at a time when job seekers in West Yorkshire are being “locked out” of employment opportunities by “unreliable and unaffordable” public transport.
In addition, First Bus West Yorkshire raised the cost of most single, day and week ticket prices last month, and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority has now vowed to raise its concerns about bus services to the Government.
A Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) study presented to the authority’s transport committee claimed that public transport was holding back low-income families from achieving a better standard of living.
Councillor Kim Groves, who chairs the committee, said: “It is so disappointing that we have just had one of our operators in West Yorkshire increase their prices at a time when people are struggling. There needs to be a radical change, but what’s more disappointing is that Arriva First Group, National Express and Stagecoach recently gave their shareholders £1.5bn back so I think we need to raise these issues.”
She added: “Growth is happening in West Yorkshire, the jobs are there for people and people need reliable, affordable transport, so we will write to the DfT (Department for Transport) in conjunction with your (the JRF) report.”
Kirklees councillor Martyn Bolt, speaking at the same meeting, said local authorities had invested heavily in cycle lanes and so if the combined authority wants to overcome transport barriers it should look beyond just bus service efficiencies.
Coun Groves, who represents the Middleton Park area of Leeds, said the combined authority takes cycling “very seriously” but added: “What I would say, it is really clear wherever you go in the country, there needs to be a radical review of the bus services.
“It’s not acceptable when people can’t get to work but buses are running round cities and towns full of fresh air and no people on them. Bus services need to work more smartly.”
The combined authority is currently pursuing a formal alliance with the region’s bus companies in order to increase bus use and improve passenger satisfaction.
Bus services need to work more smartly. Councillor Kim Groves, member of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority.