Bus timetable changes in West Yorkshire as First manage staff shortages
Staff shortages due to Covid 19 has led to changes on some bus services in West Yorkshire.
From Sunday First are changing the frequency of some journeys.
In general, services operating on a 7 or 8-minute frequency during the week will be every 10 minutes and those with a 10 or 12-minute frequency will be every 15 minutes.
Saturday frequencies on affected routes will change by five minutes or less and the majority of Sunday services will be unchanged.
The X7 and X56 Monday-Friday peak services in Leeds are temporarily suspended.
Paul Matthews, Managing Director of First West Yorkshire, said: “We want to assure our customers that these frequency changes are only short term and we aim to restore services as soon as possible.
“Along with many other organisations up and down the country, we are experiencing a higher-than-normal level of staff absence due to the current wave of Omicron Covid 19 cases. The safety of our staff and customers will always be our number one priority.
“We are doing everything we can to minimise disruption to services and inconvenience to our customers and our teams are working extra hard to ensure as many buses run as is possible.”
He added: “We are continuing to do everything we can to support and look after our colleagues whilst in the workplace with hand sanitiser, face coverings and enhanced cleaning taking place to minimise the risk of transmission of the virus. Our local teams continue to ensure our vehicles are cleaned regularly to a high standard.
“I would like to apologise in advance to all customers who are affected by these timetable changes.”
Full details of the timetable changes can be found on their website.
Leeds: https://www.firstbus.co.uk/leeds/plan-journey/timetables/?source_id=3
Bradford: https://www.firstbus.co.uk/bradford/plan-journey/timetables/?source_id=3
Halifax: https://www.firstbus.co.uk/halifax-calder-valley-huddersfield/plan-journey/timetables/?source_id=3
Huddersfield: https://www.firstbus.co.uk/halifax-calder-valley-huddersfield/plan-journey/timetables/?source_id=3