The 29 bus service that links Leeds Dock to the city centre and Leeds University is again facing the axe, with services finishing on Sunday 7 April 2024.
The service was saved five months ago by Yorkshire Buses having been axed by First Bus in October last year.
Cllr Paul Wray (Labour, Hunslet & Riverside) commented:
“We know residents at Leeds Dock, Victoria Riverside and CITU are concerned about the loss of the 29 bus route at the end of the month.
“We’re aware that there are interested parties who may wish to take over the route but are concerned about the financial sustainability of the route, in particular during out-off-term time when there are no students. We’re aware they may be seeking support from the West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) and the universities to support the route to be viable.
“We have stressed the long-term importance of the route to WYCA as the community around this area continues to grow and that arguments that nearby commercial routes being viable and thus not justifying the need of support for this route do not consider the access needs for less mobile residents in the area.
“We know an access service would support those residents in need but feel a general service is by far a better option. We will continue to have these arguments.
“WYCA has indicated that under franchising this could be an area that could fall under a contacted route, but this is also several years away and of no support now.
“We’ll support efforts to keep the route going and join offer assistance where possible in the meantime to try and make the service viable while a long-term solution via franchising is developed.”
Cllr Ed Carlisle (Green, Hunslet & Riverside) added:
“Thanks and credit to Yorkshire Buses for working so hard to try and save the 29 service: I’m glad we tried, but it sadly wasn’t to be. Independent operators like YB have so much to offer, an important counterbalance to the big corporate bus companies – but the system’s rigged against them. The newly-announced move to regional bus franchising, whereby bus services come back under public control, is a welcome step – but we need to ensure that smaller operators are not squeezed out.”
Yorkshire Buses have been approched for comment.
Photo: Councillors and Yorkshire Buses staff in front of a number 29 bus at the launch of the service. Credit Yorkshire Buses
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I am saddened that the route is ending. I am not a student and I used it to get to work daily. At the start of the changeover, there were quite a few non-students and students who would wait for it in the morning. Sadly, because of how inconsistent it was at turning up on time, people eventually stopped waiting for it. So, it looks like there is no demand when infact the demand was there but gave up on being late to work or uni. I think this had a lot to do with the traffic changes around town rather than the bus company, sadly the changes around town have just moved congestion to parts around the dock.