Changes to the 446 and 448 service mean that young people attending school in Wakefield can now only get to school on time by setting off at 6.45 on a morning and arriving at school over an hour before lessons start. Changes to the service mean that catching a later bus results in them being late for school. Returning home is little better with students having to wait for a bus in Wakefield for almost an hour.

Councillor Steve Smith, Lib Dem, Rothwell said, “This is ridiculous – the bus company claim to have consulted users before making changes to the timetable but they have ignored the needs of a significant number of their customers. I have written to Arriva with a view to making early changes to the timetable to enable our students to travel at reasonable times.”

Buses to the Wood Lane estate are still suspended on an evening and councillors are pressing for their reintroduction. Councillor Don Wilson said, “There have been ongoing problems with anti-social behaviour and I have been meeting with METRO to try and resolve the situation.”

He continued, “Due to problems across South Leeds with bus services we have asked representatives of the bus companies and METRO to a meeting at Morley Town Hall on Monday 20 February starting at 4.00 p.m. members of the public are invited to attend to make their views known and hear what the bus companies have to say.”

Councillor Mitchell Galdas added, “We look forward to hearing what the bus companies have to say on Monday and will continue to press for better, more convenient services for the people of Rothwell.”