948, 962, 966 and Dash Bus Services
The current contract with Transdev to operate bus services 948, 962, 966 and Dash in the Otley, Ilkley, Guiseley and Yeadon areas will expire on 19th February. Unfortunately Transdev are unable to extend the contracts so we invited tenders for their continued operation which were returned late December.
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.
There were no bids to operate service 966 which provides links into and around Guiseley and Yeadon. Likewise service 948 which links Apperley Bridge Rail Station with Idle and Eccleshill Park Road in the morning and evening peaks utilising the same bus as 966. Regrettably, these services will therefore be suspended. We will review options in consultation with the respective ward members.
Otley and Ilkley Services.
We have accepted a bid from Connexions to operate services in Otley and Ilkley during the daytime with effect from 20 February. The Connexions proposal involves adding to the buses used to provide services 781, 923, 963, 964 and there are changes to some of these services too. Arrangements have been made with Transdev to operate Otley- Weston – Hospital journeys in the evening and on Sundays. This is a lesser service than operates now, it represents what is achievable given the current funding conditions and driver availability. The Combined Authority will keep these services under review with a view to restoring full service levels when the situation allows.
Services will operate 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- This service will be withdrawn and replaced by service 965 (Otley – Western/Newall) and 962 Otley – Menston).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 and 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.
We do recognise the uncertainty that this has caused and the Combined Authority grateful for your patience. We have literally only finalised these arrangements today for implementation on 20 February. We will endeavour to provide timetables and passenger information as soon as we are able.
