The bus operator has been working in partnership with the Local Transport Authorities and is making targeted changes to the network and timetable which will come into effect in January. The changes are being made so the operator can better deliver the reliable services that customers in the region deserve.
While the changes will result in a limited service reduction in some areas, Arriva has worked alongside the Local Transport Authorities to minimise disruption for customers.
Despite recruiting more than 300 new drivers since the start of the year, these measures are essential to improve services for customers given the ongoing shortage of drivers.
Following a comprehensive review of the usage of every journey on the network, some of the least used journeys will no longer run, and some have been amended.
Kim Cain, area director for Arriva Yorkshire, said: “We know how important our bus services are to the communities in Yorkshire we serve and we are sorry that they have not been performing at the levels that passengers rightly expect.
“We are determined to change this and have been working closely with Local Transport Authority partners to develop a robust plan with service changes so that we are able to deliver a reliable timetable that our passengers can have confidence in.”
In reference to driver recruitment, Kim added: “We’re always on the lookout for hard working and committed people to join the Arriva Yorkshire team. If you’re over 18, have a driving licence and are looking for a rewarding career with a clear path for development, then we want to hear from you.”
The services that will change are being registered by the Traffic Commissioner, which is the usual process, and will update customers with specific timetable information soon.
Arriva can confirm now that the following services will be affected by the changes, which take place on January 5, 2025.
Service 122 will change to run between Wakefield and Ossett only. Another bus operator provides services between Ossett and Gawthorpe covering the section that Arriva will no longer be serving. Because this bus operator does not provide a service on Sundays or evenings, Arriva will continue running to Gawthorpe at these times.
Service 135/136 Pontefract to Chequerfield will now run every 30 minutes rather than every 15 minutes.
Service 164 will now connect Leeds and Selby every hour (currently every two hours), replacing most journeys on service 64.
Service 444/446 will now run from Leeds City Bus Station instead of City Square.
Evening journeys which were added to some timetables in February and July continue to carry low numbers of passengers. As a result, evening frequencies will revert to previous service levels.
Some school services will change, but everyone who travels with us to school will still be able to catch a bus.
Earlier this month, Arriva announced it will not be rebidding for some routes commissions by local transport authorities.
Other bus operators have been found to run tendered services 21/22 Seacroft – Castleford and 571 Halifax – Shelf from 23 February. Service 212 Dewsbury – Wakefield will be run by an alternative bus operator from 5 January.
