Shake up to bus routes in Ilkley, Otley, Guiseley and Yeadon revealed

The operations of the 948, 962, 966 and Otley DASH services were all put up for tender by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority ahead of the current contract with Transdev coming to an end on February 19th.

Now the authority has released details of what will happen to the routes, which serve the Ilkley, Otley, Guiseley and Yeadon areas, from Monday February 20th.

It’s good news for the 962, which runs Otley-Menston-Ilkley-Hebers Ghyll - the service has been saved after Connexions Buses won the tender - but with a revised timetable.

But nobody came forward to bid for the 966, which provides links into and around Guiseley and Yeadon or the 948 which links Apperley Bridge Rail Station with Idle and Eccleshill Park Road - they have now been axed.

The Otley DASH service has also been scrapped and other services are to operate on an altered timetable - full details below.

Transdev did not tender for the contract to run the Otley Dash

For Labour's Parliamentary Candidate for Keighley and Ilkley John Grogan, the saving of the 962 was “a big relief”.

He said: “This service provides vital links within Ilkley and then onward to Burley, Menston and Otley. I have been in regular contact with the Mayor’s staff and her transport team and I know how hard they have worked to maintain this service following Transdev pulling out.

“The new operator Connexions has a good record in Wharfedale and indeed have operated a similar service on the route in the past.”

There were no celebrations for Otley and Yeadon Lib Dem Councillors Colin Campbell, Ryk Downes and Sandy Lay, though, who have voiced their shock at the cuts.

Cllr Campbell said: "The local bus service goes from bad to worse. Over the last few months we have seen a dramatic reduction in both bus routes and frequency.

"This is pushing more and more people to find alternative ways of getting around. The result is an increase in both congestion and pollution exactly the opposite of what needs to happen if we are to tackle the serious climate emergency."

Cllr Downes added: "Many residents, particularly the young and elderly rely on the routes around the town. Cutting routes within Otley and Yeadon will increase isolation and we are concerned about the effect that the loss of this bus lifeline, which people use to shop and socialise, will have."

Cllr Lay said: "Since the West Yorkshire Mayor took responsibility for public transport we have seen a steady deterioration in bus services. This despite her receiving more than £41 million in extra government grants to improve service. We have asked that some of that money be spent in the Otley Yeadon area.”

John Grogan in Ilkley - he is concerned about the future of the X84 service

And there could be more bus upheaval in the offing. John Grogan said: "I am still worried about the future of the X84 service from Ilkley to Otley and on to Leeds.

“My sources in First bus tell me that they are poised to cut the service from Ilkley unless the Government renews its grant to support buses in the aftermath of Covid.

“The deadline was February 17th but the Transport Commissioners who regulate bus services have this week shortened the period that operators have to give notice before cancelling services from 42 to 28 days. Hopefully this should give the Transport Minister Mark Harper a few more days until the beginning of March to get his act together."

Councillors were informed of the decision in an email from the West Yorkshire Combined Authority on Friday, which said: “Due to current economic pressures and uncertainties around Government funding, interest from prospective operators was low (Transdev chose not to tender for the services).

“This is in part due to wider uncertainty around funding and the impacts on operating costs of inflationary pressures. The Combined Authority Transport Committee this morning discussed the wider implications of this, and unfortunately the impacts of this are being felt in your area.”

The full list of services affected is as follows:

DASH Otley - Menston - Wharfedale Circular

This service will be withdrawn and replaced by service 965 (Otley – Western/Newall) and 962 Otley – Menston).

962 Otley – Menston - Ilkley - Hebers Ghyll

This service will be operated by Connexions Buses. A revised timetable will be introduced with all journeys operating via Menston Station and Menston Village (replacing the DASH). The service will continue to connect with trains at Menston where possible. Due to time limitations, the service will operate on Bradford Road instead of West Busk Lane Otley. The hourly Otley-Ilkley link will be retained except for the 1105 journey which will be withdrawn. The Ilkley-Hebers Ghyll section of route will be reduced to operate every two hours at certain times of the day.

965 Otley – Weston – Wharfedale Hospital – Newall

This service will be operated by Connexions Buses. It will partially replace the DASH, and operate a 30 minute service to Weston in line with the current timetable. On school days the 1405 journey will terminate at Newall and the 1505 1535 will not operate.

Evening and Sunday journeys will continue to be provided by Transdev on service A3 which will be extended to Weston and Newall. Journeys will run hourly 1900-2300 Monday-Saturday evenings and 0900-2200 on Sundays.

923 Otley – Wetherby

Journeys will be re-timed and will leave Wetherby at 0930 1150 and 1400 and leave Otley at 1025 1225 and 1805.

964 Otley – Cambridge

This service will be slightly reduced with journeys leaving Otley bus station at 1025 1225 1425.

966 Guiseley – Yeadon Circular

This service will be suspended

948 Applerley Bridge Rail Station - Idle - Eccleshill Park Road

This service will be suspended.