Ossett to Leeds 117 bus: Station Coaches may take over service after Arriva wields axe

Ossett Bus StationOssett Bus Station
Ossett Bus Station
A crucial bus service linking Ossett to Leeds could be given a stay of execution, after Arriva announced its withdrawal last week.
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However, Station Coaches is in talks with regional transport chiefs over a deal that could see it take over the running of the service until at least July.

The Batley-based company already runs the 116 between Ossett and Wakefield.

Arriva is cutting services across the district.Arriva is cutting services across the district.
Arriva is cutting services across the district.

No deal has been formally agreed.

But if adopted, the proposal could see Station Coaches run an hourly service until the summer, which would also go to and from neighbouring Horbury.

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Arriva's decision to withdraw the 117 has sparked an outcry locally, as it is the only direct public transport link between Ossett and Leeds.

Conservative councillor for Ossett, Nick Farmer, welcomed news of the talks and said Arriva's decision to cut it in the first place had been "unacceptable".

Other changes affecting various parts of Wakefield are still set to go ahead at the end of the month.Other changes affecting various parts of Wakefield are still set to go ahead at the end of the month.
Other changes affecting various parts of Wakefield are still set to go ahead at the end of the month.

He said: "We should be putting more bus services on, rather than less.

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"The number of people who commute between Ossett and Leeds is huge.

"I really can't understand why they wanted to cut it because it's a very well-used service.

"As councillors we've had loads of complaints about it.

Councillor Morley said he was "delighted" talks were taking place over the potential saving of the 117.Councillor Morley said he was "delighted" talks were taking place over the potential saving of the 117.
Councillor Morley said he was "delighted" talks were taking place over the potential saving of the 117.

"We just hope that it carries on after July too, because it's important to people."

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Armaan Khan, whose petition against the withdrawal of the 117 has been signed by more than 1,300 people, also welcomed the news as a potential "lifeline".

Mr Khan, who says he will be Labour's local election candidate for Ossett this May, said: "If the service was lost it would be devastating for a lot of people.

"It would have caused a lot of problems.

"The petition's received a lot of support from the community and I'd like to thank them for getting behind it."

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Meanwhile, Wakefield Council has said that Arriva has agreed to maintain a Sunday service on the 147 between Wakefield, Normanton and Pontefract until July.

The operator had initially planned to cut the Sunday service at the end of this month, along with the other changes taking place.

The council says it's also trying to find a solution for people living in Knottingley and Castleford, who will be left isolated from each other because of planned alterations to the 188.

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Councillor Matthew Morley, portfolio holder for transport, said: “We have been working with West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) to find a way to support the continuation of bus services and are delighted that talks are taking place with an independent operator that is proposing to step in to the 117 service and Arriva will continue to maintain bus services that were under threat.

“The voices of residents have been heard and these plans will be welcomed by many people who need a reliable and convenient bus service to get to work, school and college.

"We will continue to work with the Combined Authority and Arriva to find a solution for Castleford.”

Local Democracy Reporting Service

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