Free Town/City Buses in West Yorkshire

[Username]

I created this thread to see if theses services are used and it is needed, I already have ideas about Dewsbury and Wakefield although I have not ever ridden the DTB.

In November 2021, I took a trip to Wakefield and rode the Free City Bus which is currently tendered to Tetleys Coaches at the moment. I hopped on a trip from the Bus Station to Westgate Station and noticed that the bus was actually fairly busy picking up and dropping off passengers along the way however I do not know if the Wakefield Citybus is busy on a regular basis and it wasn't that odd trip I rode.

I regulary take trips into Huddersfield to examine buses in the area. I have noticed that the Huddersfield Town Bus is mixed and matched and regularly has empty bus trips and regularly trips with 2 to 10 people on board. However, I have never ridden the full trip and don't know if people hop on at certain areas in town as I only see the bus at the bus station. 

Now for Dewsbury Town Bus. I genuinely have a question about whether this service is actually used or not. I have never really examined Dewsbury or never really rode the DTB but I'd assume that the service might not be very popular giving that Dewsbury is quite a small town. If anyone disagrees with me on this statement or knows whether this service is busy or not, please let me know.

Roughly a year ago, WYCA did this map pin public consulation thing about customer views on public transport where people would pin on a map an idea they would like to see for cycling, roads, mass transit or bus and rail opportunities in future. I noticed that there was a pin where a few locals said they wanted a bus linking Halifax Bus Station and Rail Station together maybe through a Free Town Bus idea, and I thought this idea was a great idea as I have heard many locals complaining about the links from the bus stn to rail stn.
In 2020, also privately contacted WYCA asking via email for a Free Town Bus in Halifax and they said they planned to introduce this when the new bus station and market street is pedestrianised. Does anyone know if this idea is still going ahead?

[stephen01]

Jul 19, 2022 21:35:05 GMT 1 Username said:

I created this thread to see if theses services are used and it is needed, I already have ideas about Dewsbury and Wakefield although I have not ever ridden the DTB.

In November 2021, I took a trip to Wakefield and rode the Free City Bus which is currently tendered to Tetleys Coaches at the moment. I hopped on a trip from the Bus Station to Westgate Station and noticed that the bus was actually fairly busy picking up and dropping off passengers along the way however I do not know if the Wakefield Citybus is busy on a regular basis and it wasn't that odd trip I rode.

I regulary take trips into Huddersfield to examine buses in the area. I have noticed that the Huddersfield Town Bus is mixed and matched and regularly has empty bus trips and regularly trips with 2 to 10 people on board. However, I have never ridden the full trip and don't know if people hop on at certain areas in town as I only see the bus at the bus station. 

Now for Dewsbury Town Bus. I genuinely have a question about whether this service is actually used or not. I have never really examined Dewsbury or never really rode the DTB but I'd assume that the service might not be very popular giving that Dewsbury is quite a small town. If anyone disagrees with me on this statement or knows whether this service is busy or not, please let me know.

Roughly a year ago, WYCA did this map pin public consulation thing about customer views on public transport where people would pin on a map an idea they would like to see for cycling, roads, mass transit or bus and rail opportunities in future. I noticed that there was a pin where a few locals said they wanted a bus linking Halifax Bus Station and Rail Station together maybe through a Free Town Bus idea, and I thought this idea was a great idea as I have heard many locals complaining about the links from the bus stn to rail stn.
In 2020, also privately contacted WYCA asking via email for a Free Town Bus in Halifax and they said they planned to introduce this when the new bus station and market street is pedestrianised. Does anyone know if this idea is still going ahead?

WCB is regularly busy as is DTB although orignally DTB ran every 10 mins. As for the Halifax idea a Free Town bus was actually tried initally during a Christmas market run by TJ Walsh's. There used to be a shuttle bus running between the Sainsburys and Bus Station but dont think that's been picked up since. But DTB, HFTB and WCB all also receive additional funding too, DTB has funding from Kirklees Council and Sainsburys, HFTB has funding from Kirklees Council (even had funding from Kirklees College for a few years too) and WCB had funding from Wakefield Council and Wakefield BID.

[WYBS]

I mean, it amazes me that Dewsbury has a free bus and Leeds doesn't. Now that Leeds City Council are restricting private car use in the city centre, and pedestrianising more areas; I think it's about time them and WYCA seriously considered a free bus service (or two: one clockwise, one anticlockwise).

The services in Manchester are fantastic.

[stephen01]

Jul 19, 2022 22:22:37 GMT 1 WYBS said:

I mean, it amazes me that Dewsbury has a free bus and Leeds doesn't. Now that Leeds City Council are restricting private car use in the city centre, and pedestrianising more areas; I think it's about time them and WYCA seriously considered a free bus service (or two: one clockwise, one anticlockwise).

The services in Manchester are fantastic.

Leeds was one of the initial areas but started charging 50p. The Leeds City Bus still runs it just got built in to the 5. Bradford also stopped theirs after Ladies Only Travel (L.O.T) Collapsed. Tracy Brabin was always wanting to introduce a free town bus in Batley to link the town & train station when she was MP. This had already proved a flop under the Metro Local scheme.

[Username]

Jul 19, 2022 22:29:20 GMT 1 stephen01 said:

Jul 19, 2022 22:22:37 GMT 1 WYBS said:

I mean, it amazes me that Dewsbury has a free bus and Leeds doesn't. Now that Leeds City Council are restricting private car use in the city centre, and pedestrianising more areas; I think it's about time them and WYCA seriously considered a free bus service (or two: one clockwise, one anticlockwise).

The services in Manchester are fantastic.

Leeds was one of the initial areas but started charging 50p. The Leeds City Bus still runs it just got built in to the 5. Bradford also stopped theirs after Ladies Only Travel (L.O.T) Collapsed. Tracy Brabin was always wanting to introduce a free bus in Batley to link the town & train station when she was MP. This had already proved a flop under the Metro Local scheme.

A better idea than Batley would have probably been Keighley to be fair. As I have noticed many people walk from the train station to the bus station but complain how it is a long walk but they don't want to pay for the bus. Maybe they could reintroduce the K8 but as a free town bus service with funding from the local council and possibly WYCA.

As for Leeds, I believe First started collapsing with the service as it was too expensive to run so they started charging passengers instead and merging it with the 5. However I do agree with WYBS that there should be an anti/clockwise link  funded by WYCA and maybe the local council can have a share in it as well with a free bus fair for the Leeds City Centre. Maybe they could even make sure the timetable links with Park & Ride bus timetables. 

For Bradford, a city bus idea would be good as the service was fairly popular. I was very surprised to hear TLC Travel wasn't looking to take over it after LOTs fall as they are usually the first to rush for bus contracts.

I'd assume the Christmas Halifax bus was not used because most people couldn't travel to Halifax anyways because no buses run during Christmas. 

[stephen01]

Jul 20, 2022 19:13:42 GMT 1 Username said:

Jul 19, 2022 22:29:20 GMT 1 stephen01 said:

Leeds was one of the initial areas but started charging 50p. The Leeds City Bus still runs it just got built in to the 5. Bradford also stopped theirs after Ladies Only Travel (L.O.T) Collapsed. Tracy Brabin was always wanting to introduce a free bus in Batley to link the town & train station when she was MP. This had already proved a flop under the Metro Local scheme.

A better idea than Batley would have probably been Keighley to be fair. As I have noticed many people walk from the train station to the bus station but complain how it is a long walk but they don't want to pay for the bus. Maybe they could reintroduce the K8 but as a free town bus service with funding from the local council and possibly WYCA.

As for Leeds, I believe First started collapsing with the service as it was too expensive to run so they started charging passengers instead and merging it with the 5. However I do agree with WYBS that there should be an anti/clockwise link  funded by WYCA and maybe the local council can have a share in it as well with a free bus fair for the Leeds City Centre. Maybe they could even make sure the timetable links with Park & Ride bus timetables. 

For Bradford, a city bus idea would be good as the service was fairly popular. I was very surprised to hear TLC Travel wasn't looking to take over it after LOTs fall as they are usually the first to rush for bus contracts.

I'd assume the Christmas Halifax bus was not used because most people couldn't travel to Halifax anyways because no buses run during Christmas. 

true for Leeds but something tells me that the plan there could be in flexibus schemes coming up. If First struggled to run it though it would depend on if any independants would run it because lets face it some of the Connecting Leeds schemes in the city centre would restrict things now. Now the clockwise and anti-clockwise idea would 100% work in Bradford but again will depend on if First, TLC or anyone else see it as viable.

[kendall17]

Jul 20, 2022 19:13:42 GMT 1 Username said:

Jul 19, 2022 22:29:20 GMT 1 stephen01 said:

Leeds was one of the initial areas but started charging 50p. The Leeds City Bus still runs it just got built in to the 5. Bradford also stopped theirs after Ladies Only Travel (L.O.T) Collapsed. Tracy Brabin was always wanting to introduce a free bus in Batley to link the town & train station when she was MP. This had already proved a flop under the Metro Local scheme.

A better idea than Batley would have probably been Keighley to be fair. As I have noticed many people walk from the train station to the bus station but complain how it is a long walk but they don't want to pay for the bus. Maybe they could reintroduce the K8 but as a free town bus service with funding from the local council and possibly WYCA.

As for Leeds, I believe First started collapsing with the service as it was too expensive to run so they started charging passengers instead and merging it with the 5. However I do agree with WYBS that there should be an anti/clockwise link  funded by WYCA and maybe the local council can have a share in it as well with a free bus fair for the Leeds City Centre. Maybe they could even make sure the timetable links with Park & Ride bus timetables. 

For Bradford, a city bus idea would be good as the service was fairly popular. I was very surprised to hear TLC Travel wasn't looking to take over it after LOTs fall as they are usually the first to rush for bus contracts.

I'd assume the Christmas Halifax bus was not used because most people couldn't travel to Halifax anyways because no buses run during Christmas. 

I'd rather Leeds CC didn't throw good money after bad. Leave it to Leeds BID & LEP. Though there's a reason why it's never been resurrected - it only attracted concessionary passes or those with period tickets.

[deerfold]

Until Walsh gave up on bus services they ran a service around every 10-15 minutes on service 600 which linked Ovenden with the Town centre, but continuing on a circular route around the town centre to and from the Rail station. It was never well publicised (even having a map in the timetable showing the stops used might have helped) and never an official Town Bus.

Many years ago (it existed in 2001 when I was working in Halifax and sometimes commuted in from my girlfriend's in Harrogate) Arriva ran a town centre circle minibus every 7-8 minutes (effectively meeting every train in both directions). It was one of their most profitable routes as many users had Metrocards and at the time operators received a payment per Metrocard use, no matter how long the journey - I think this may have prompted a change in how payments were allocated. Many people (including me) only used the bus up the hill, but walked back down so buses arriving at the station were often empty, but those leaving often had standees. I believe they used two buses with a there being a lower frequency when drivers took lunch breaks.

[Username]

Jul 21, 2022 1:21:18 GMT 1 deerfold said:

Until Walsh gave up on bus services they ran a service around every 10-15 minutes on service 600 which linked Ovenden with the Town centre, but continuing on a circular route around the town centre to and from the Rail station. It was never well publicised (even having a map in the timetable showing the stops used might have helped) and never an official Town Bus.

Many years ago (it existed in 2001 when I was working in Halifax and sometimes commuted in from my girlfriend's in Harrogate) Arriva ran a town centre circle minibus every 7-8 minutes (effectively meeting every train in both directions). It was one of their most profitable routes as many users had Metrocards and at the time operators received a payment per Metrocard use, no matter how long the journey - I think this may have prompted a change in how payments were allocated. Many people (including me) only used the bus up the hill, but walked back down so buses arriving at the station were often empty, but those leaving often had standees. I believe they used two buses with a there being a lower frequency when drivers took lunch breaks.

Walsh was not really very good at advertising their services. If Yorkshire Tiger or First Halifax would have ran a similar service back then I'd assume the outcome would have been a lot different.

[arriva1606]

I was on the dtb a few month ago and there was only 2 others on, both oaps!
No wonder they only had the Volkswagen minibus on it that day
As for the HFTB was only really full on the 12:10 bus last Thursday

[stephen01]

Jul 23, 2022 10:24:04 GMT 1 arriva1606 said:

I was on the dtb a few month ago and there was only 2 others on, both oaps!
No wonder they only had the Volkswagen minibus on it that day
As for the HFTB was only really full on the 12:10 bus last Thursday

the problems with DTB started going downhill when Tates ran it as the consistant 10 mins frequency would yo-yo during the day as one bus would do a school route before start and in the middle of the service and this continued when CT Plus took over. When the tender was done which saw YT takeover saw the frequncy drop to every 20mins and running to the current timetable as impacted on it massively. When the DTB was originally run by Star Travel Ossett on the every 10 mins frequency from 7-7 it had a brilliant footfall. I can see DTB & HFTB increasing back up in line with the town re-developments. Also under Station Coaches DTB originally would use one of the streetlites and then it was solos and the VW Tucana as the Tucana was originally used on ML1 alternating with a Solo again to free up streetlites.

[stephen01]

Jul 23, 2022 10:37:39 GMT 1 stephen01 said:

Jul 23, 2022 10:24:04 GMT 1 arriva1606 said:

I was on the dtb a few month ago and there was only 2 others on, both oaps!
No wonder they only had the Volkswagen minibus on it that day
As for the HFTB was only really full on the 12:10 bus last Thursday

the problems with DTB started going downhill when Tates ran it as the consistant 10 mins frequency would yo-yo during the day as one bus would do a school route before start and in the middle of the service and this continued when CT Plus took over. When the tender was done which saw YT takeover saw the frequncy drop to every 20mins and running to the current timetable as impacted on it massively. When the DTB was originally run by Star Travel Ossett on the every 10 mins frequency from 7-7 it had a brilliant footfall. I can see DTB & HFTB increasing back up in line with the town re-developments. Also under Station Coaches DTB originally would use one of the streetlites and then it was solos and the VW Tucana as the Tucana was originally used on ML1 alternating with a Solo again to free up streetlites.

At the minute with the changes with Dewsbury Market and it's redevelopment Kirklees Council and Dewsbury Chamber of Commerce should really be providing funding for a second bus but acting as a circular link the 3 temporary locations with the bus station but run it 7 days a week so as not to discriminate against those attend the Sunday Car Boot sales