A NEW bus service to Aireborough is being axed just weeks after it was launched.

From mid-February First Bus will terminate the 19A Garforth service at Tinshill – reversing a recent decision to extend the route to Rawdon and Yeadon.

The company says the change is needed to provide more buses and drivers for the 33/33A - but its decision is being criticised by Aireborough Civic Society.

Chairman Clive Woods said: "It had only been operating six weeks when the decision was made to cut. That could be a record."

He stressed: "Passengers will find it very hard to understand that a billion pound company like First cannot afford to continue the 19A route extension - after just starting it. But it can spend time and money on consulting, and introducing a new bus service in October 2017, only to decide to remove it less than two months later - without promoting it or giving it time to be a success. It will yet again tarnish the 'First Bus' brand - and lead to fewer passengers, more cars and more congestion in our communities.

In a letter to First he said Aireborough Civic Society had been surprised and delighted by the decision to extend the service to Yeadon via Rawdon Town Street and Rawdon Crossroads.

"For a long time Rawdon residents have been asking for a service linking the two parts of Rawdon," he added.

He stressed: " We have pointed out that First should put pressure on Leeds for schemes to improve parts of the 33/33A route affected by congestion, especially through Leeds Centre (Bus Station to the end Wellington Street), Horsforth Roundabout and traffic light timings and management at various congestion points along the route before changing journey times."

Leeds North West MP Alex Sobel demanded action from First after Otley woman Margaret Turner wrote to him after being left stranded in Yeadon.

He said: "I am pleased that First have listened to our concerns about the 33A Service. I was distressed to read Mrs Turner’s letter and it is important that action is taken to see that the service is improved in the future. It is vital that bus companies are held to the highest standards by elected representatives as they are relied upon by many people to get to work as well as medical appointments and social occasions.

But he added: "Improvements to this service are welcome but should not be done at the expense of the 19A service that many people in Yeadon rely on. I will be raising this issue with First directly.”

Martin Hirst, Commercial Director at First West Yorkshire said the changes were being made to improve reliability.

"Recent feedback from staff and customers, identified a need to review the Guiseley 33 service and the Otley 33A service," he said.

"From 18th February, customers will see a new timetable for these services, which takes into the account the increased amount of time that the journeys are taking, due to the increasing amount of traffic on our roads, particularly through Horsforth.

“We are also making changes to the 19A service, which means the bus will no longer operate to Yeadon and will terminate at Tinshill. The decision has been driven by the need for more vehicles and staff to operate the 33 and 33A services. We understand that this news is disappointing for some of our customers, but we will continue to operate the 33 and 97 services to Yeadon."