Bus service cuts impact independence in Pool-in-Wharfedale

A 22-year-old man with autism, Oliver Heap, has expressed his frustration after losing a direct bus service to Leeds from his village, Pool-in-Wharfedale. He used the number 25 bus, which was introduced to replace the X84 express line in October. However, after community complaints, the X84 was reinstated on February 23, but the 25 and 26 routes no longer serve his village. Oliver says that this change has made him feel less independent. He used to take the bus to visit friends and attend workshops in Ilkley without needing to ask his parents for a ride. Now, he must change buses or rely on his parents to drive him, which takes away his freedom. His mother, Lucy Heap, emphasized how the bus service had provided independence for Oliver. She feels devastated about the loss of the bus and worries it will hinder his ability to find a job. The family is now campaigning for the bus service to be restored and has surveyed local residents, finding strong support for the return of the service. First, the bus operator, noted they are open to changes to the X84 route if there's consensus from the community. Discussions are ongoing with local authorities about possible funding for an additional service. Residents had previously rallied to save the X84, with over 3,000 people signing a petition for its return. While First has acknowledged improvement in punctuality since reinstating the X84, some residents are still concerned about service reliability and the absence of routes for Pool. The situation highlights the importance of public transport connections for community independence and access.