Transport giant reveals alternative to Leeds trolleybus scheme
The biggest bus firm in Leeds has unveiled
ambitious plans that it says would deliver greater benefits than the
city’s controversial trolleybus scheme at a fraction of the cost.
Private operator First’s proposed ‘New Bus for Leeds’
project is outlined in the firm’s submission to the forthcoming public
inquiry that will decide the fate of the public sector-backed trolleybus
plan.
First’s alternative to the New Generation Transport (NGT)
trolleybuses would see up to 200 state-of-the-art buses being pressed
into service on the streets of Leeds.
Modelled on London’s
Routemaster double-deckers, they would boast multi-door entry and exit
points designed to cut waiting times at bus stops.
The
eco-friendly vehicles would have Oyster card-style ticketing systems to
encourage cashless payments by passengers, again with the intention of
reducing bus stop waiting times.
Road infrastructure improvements
and signal priority measures would aim to speed up journeys still
further. The new fleet of buses would be provided by First, with money
for infrastructure and signal work potentially coming from the £1bn West
Yorkshire Plus Transport Fund. It is not yet clear how much public cash
might have to be found from the transport fund. First is saying,
however, that the scheme would offer “huge savings” compared to NGT,
which is being spearheaded by Leeds City Council and West Yorkshire
passenger transport authority Metro.
The company says its project
would operate on a city-wide basis and as a result would benefit more
people than the £250m trolleybus system, which would initially run along
a single north-to-south corridor. First also says the bus masterplan
could be delivered faster than “outdated” NGT, which would not go live
until 2020.
Dave Alexander, regional managing director for the
firm in the north of England, said: “A common objective between First,
the council and Metro is for Leeds to have a radical improvement in
public transport that enhances its image and boosts its status.
“We
are concerned that the trolleybus scheme will not achieve this. On the
other hand the ‘New Bus for Leeds’, combined with other measures, will
bring radical improvements to far more passengers, in a much shorter
time and with huge savings to the public purse compared with the
trolleybus proposals.”
SEE ALSO THE LATEST ON THE FOCUS FLICKR SITE
Another two-day weekend event was held at Barrow Hill the last of the working Roundhouse buildings. Martin Arrand has provided some images of the engines on display inside and out, which can be viewed here
Present were several historic engines and included Blue Peter posed alongside Dwight Eisenhower and Dominion of Canada. A sight most likely never to be repeated, as the two A4s are due to head back across the Atlantic Ocean to their respective homes in America, having been over here on loan for the 'Great Gathering' at York and other events.
Colin Sellers has also supplied a few images of the shuttle bus service ...............
.......and these can be viewed here
SEE ALSO THE LATEST ON THE FOCUS FLICKR SITE
Another two-day weekend event was held at Barrow Hill the last of the working Roundhouse buildings. Martin Arrand has provided some images of the engines on display inside and out, which can be viewed here
Present were several historic engines and included Blue Peter posed alongside Dwight Eisenhower and Dominion of Canada. A sight most likely never to be repeated, as the two A4s are due to head back across the Atlantic Ocean to their respective homes in America, having been over here on loan for the 'Great Gathering' at York and other events.
Colin Sellers has also supplied a few images of the shuttle bus service ...............
.......and these can be viewed here
