Local people are being asked to have their say on public transport in West Yorkshire, with a number of drop-in events being held in Calderdale.
Calderdale Council is supporting the West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s (WYCA) consultation on local bus and transport systems, which is running until Friday 21 October.
The consultation survey can be completed online at www.yourtravelyoursay.co.uk(external link) and at over 70 drop-in sessions around West Yorkshire. In Calderdale the upcoming sessions are:
Todmorden Town Hall – Wednesday 17 August – 11am – 2pm
Calderdale Royal Hospital – Monday 22 August – 1.30 – 4.30pm
Tesco, Sowerby Bridge – Friday 26 August – 11am – 2pm
Sainsbury’s (Next to Halifax Bus Station) – Wednesday 31 August – 11am – 2pm
Morrisons, Elland – Monday 5 September – 10.30am – 1.30pm
Brighouse Bus Station – Wednesday 14 September – 10:30am – 1:30pm
Halifax Indoor Market – Saturday 24 September – 10am – 1pm
Calderdale College – Wednesday 5 October – 11am – 2pm
Halifax Bus Station – Thursday 6 October – 3 – 6pm
Hebden Bridge Town Hall – Thursday 13 October – 10.30am – 1.30pm
Each drop-in event will be attended by a team from WYCA plus bus service operators, who will be available to answer questions and help people take part.
The aim of the consultation is to find out what people think about local bus services and the county’s transport network in order to create a modern bus network which meets the needs of individuals and businesses. Feedback will help development of the new 20-year West Yorkshire bus and transport strategy.
Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Planning, Housing and Environment, Cllr Dan Sutherland, said:
“These drop-in events are the opportunity for people to have their say on public transport facilities and provide feedback on topics like ease of use, value for money and reliability. I hope people go along to the sessions or fill out the survey online, to ensure Calderdale has a strong voice in future WYCA proposals.
“There are lots of exciting developments happening with public transport in Calderdale, including plans to improve bus accessibility and public transport facilities in Halifax. By taking part in WYCA’s consultation we can ensure these transformations meet the needs of passengers and help us create a modern transport network.”
Cllr Keith Wakefield, West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s Transport Committee Chair said:
“Developing good bus and transport networks are key to the future of West Yorkshire and the growth of the City Region economy.
“Everybody is affected directly and indirectly by our transport network and it is one of the main topics when I hold my councillor surgeries so I’d urge everyone to get involved.
“As this is about the overall transport network, we definitely want to hear from car drivers and we also want the view of people who currently don’t or won’t use public transport, to find out why.
“And we want to hear from the business community, to help us develop a transport and commuter network that meet their needs and their employees’ expectations.”
Roger Marsh OBE, Chair of the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (LEP) said:
“Buses play an important role in getting people to places and enhance the Leeds City Region economy, which means if bus services are poor they can act as a brake on our economy and growth. This is why we are working with the bus industry to carry out this consultation and engage with those people that use the services and make it work for them.
“I would encourage members of the business community to take part in this consultation and work with us to create a bus network that meets the needs of the 21st Century commuters.”
Ben Still, Managing Director of West Yorkshire Combined Authority said:
“Good transport underpins our economy, which is why developing a single ‘Metro-style’ transport network and delivering over 30 West Yorkshire plus Transport Fund schemes are among the key aims of the Combined Authority and the LEP’s shared Strategic Economic Plan.
“We have already worked with a range of partners to deliver improvements such as our MCard smartcard, real-time information and modern, low-emission buses and the past six months has seen the completion of new rail stations at Apperley Bridge and Kirkstall Forge, and opening of the new Leeds Station Southern Entrance.
“Now, through our Your Travel, Your Say public consultation, we want to know what our customers our communities and our businesses want to see prioritised for West Yorkshire’s transport”
Paul Matthews, Managing Director of First West Yorkshire said:
“Together with transport partners bus operators have introduced a number of improvements in recent years that have supported the very significant role buses play in our local economy and communities.
“We now look forward to working closely with all stakeholders as part of this important consultation to listen to the people of West Yorkshire and help shape the future of our transport system over the next 20 years.”
For more information and to have your say on the future of bus services and the West Yorkshire transport system, visit www.yourtravelyoursay.co.uk(external link)