X84 Limited Stop Bus Service Replacement Draws Criticism

For three decades, the X84 bus service was a common sight in the Leeds area, but its operation concluded in October as part of revised timetables. Bus operator First replaced the limited-stop route, which connected Leeds, Otley, and Ilkley, with services 25 and 26. However, advocacy groups claim these changes have resulted in difficult journeys. The BBC visited Ilkley to interview bus passengers about their opinions on the alterations. Julie Dwyer, an Otley resident, described the new services that superseded the X84 as “terrible.” The 69-year-old retiree explained, “It’s the [new] stops in Leeds when you get to Headingley – they stop at every stop whereas it was a limited stop before.” She estimated, “It’s put on a good 10 to 12 minutes extra on our journey time, I would say.” Ms. Dwyer further commented, “People getting to work have been on the buses and they’re panicking thinking they’re not going to make it in in time.” Thousands of people concur with Ms. Dwyer, with over 2,700 individuals supporting a petition that calls for the reinstatement of the X84. Campaigners argue that the additional stops in Headingley have led to longer travel times, overcrowded buses, and an overall diminished service quality—assertions that First denies. Toni Carter, a 78-year-old retiree from Skipton, who uses the bus for her weekly lacemaking class in Otley, offered a different perspective. She stated, “The first week it was a bit chaotic, but it’s settled down now.” Ms. Carter observed, “It’s more or less the same as what it was if you’re going to Otley, it’s only after that that it changes.” She also added, “From Skipton, if I was going to Leeds I’d only go by train.” Anne Venning, 70, who works at the Black Bull pub in Otley, reported on customer feedback. She commented, “The older end of our customers, those in their 70s and 80s, are coming in and moaning about the changes.” According to Ms. Venning, these customers are saying, “They’re saying there aren’t limited stops anymore so it’s taking a lot longer, especially going through Headingley.” Sarah Carmody, 47, from Adel, Leeds, initiated the petition. She expressed, “I was surprised with how many signatures we got and how how quickly it gained momentum.” Ms. Carmody emphasized, “This is people speaking up about a service they need and want – First need to listen too.” Councillor Ray Jones, a member of Leeds City Council and the transport committee for the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, voiced his opinion. He asserted, “They need to reinstate that service to an X service, it had been running perfectly well as a limited stop for 30 years.” Councillor Jones added, “First need reminding that they have some obligations to run a service that the public wants – I just don’t think they’ve thought it through.” In response, a spokesperson for First dismissed claims of a service loss as “simply wrong and misleading.” The spokesperson stated, “A review of passenger numbers has revealed some capacity pressure at peak times on certain days.” They further explained, “Members of our team are travelling on both services to ascertain any root cause and we are reviewing vehicles deployed with colleagues in operations.” The spokesperson concluded, “We will continue to monitor this to consider any adjustments that may be needed.”