Limited stop X84 axing 'not thought through'

The new 25 and 26 services make more stops closer to Leeds than the limited stop X84 service they replaced

The X84 bus has been a familiar sight in and around Leeds for three decades, but the brakes were applied in October as part of timetable changes.

Bus firm First replaced the limited stop service - connecting Leeds, Otley and Ilkley - with the 25 and 26, but campaigners say it has caused troublesome journeys.

The BBC headed to Ilkley to speak to bus passengers to find out what they make of the changes.

Julie Dwyer travels into Leeds once a week with her husband and says the new replacement services are flawed

Julie Dwyer, from Otley, describes the new services replacing the X84 as "terrible".

"It's the [new] stops in Leeds when you get to Headingley - they stop at every stop whereas it was a limited stop before," the 69-year-old retiree says.

"It's put on a good 10 to 12 minutes extra on our journey time, I would say."

She continues: "People getting to work have been on the buses and they're panicking thinking they're not going to make it in in time."

Thousands agree with Ms Dwyer, with more than 2,700 backing a petition calling to reinstate the X84.

Campaigners say the added stops in Headingley has caused longer journey times, overcrowded buses and a poorer service overall - something First denies.

Toni Carter says the service has settled down after a "chaotic" first week

Toni Carter, also retired, uses the bus to get to Otley for a weekly lacemaking class.

"The first week it was a bit chaotic, but it's settled down now," the 78-year-old from Skipton says.

"It's more or less the same as what it was if you're going to Otley, it's only after that that it changes."

She adds: "From Skipton, if I was going to Leeds I'd only go by train."

Anne Venning says some of her pub's customers are complaining about the changes

Anne Venning, 70, works in the Black Bull pub in Otley.

"The older end of our customers, those in their 70s and 80s, are coming in and moaning about the changes," she says.

"They're saying there aren't limited stops anymore so it's taking a lot longer, especially going through Headingley."

Sarah Carmody, 47, from Adel, Leeds, set up the petition.

"I was surprised with how many signatures we got and how how quickly it gained momentum," she says.

"This is people speaking up about a service they need and want - First need to listen too."

The 25 and 26 services replaced the limited stop X84 which ran for 30 years

Councillor Ray Jones, of Leeds City Council, sits on the transport committee of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority.

"They need to reinstate that service to an X service, it had been running perfectly well as a limited stop for 30 years," he says.

"First need reminding that they have some obligations to run a service that the public wants - I just don't think they've thought it through."

A spokesperson for First says claims of a loss of service were "simply wrong and misleading".

"A review of passenger numbers has revealed some capacity pressure at peak times on certain days," he said.

"Members of our team are travelling on both services to ascertain any root cause and we are reviewing vehicles deployed with colleagues in operations."

He added: “We will continue to monitor this to consider any adjustments that may be needed.”

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