BUS passengers are being invited to flag up concerns about local services at a public meeting in Otley.

MP Alex Sobel (Lab, Leeds North West) has organised the Thursday, April 4 event as a follow-up to a meeting that was held in Headingley in February. Like the earlier event, the Otley meeting will be attended by representatives from bus company First.

It will take place at Otley Courthouse from 5.30pm to 7pm and Mr Sobel is hoping for a big turnout.

He said: “I’d like to thank First for agreeing to another public meeting in my constituency and giving the people of Otley, Yeadon, Pool and Bramhope, the opportunity to make their concerns heard once more.

“Leeds is the only major city in Europe without a mass transit system which makes having a reliable and affordable bus service a major priority.

“Our environment and economy depend on convenient public transport to encourage people out of their cars and improve congestion and pollution. This is particularly important for Otley which suffers from extreme congestion at peak times.

“I hope that many people attend the meeting and that we put as much public pressure on First as possible.”

Labour’s Leeds City Council candidate for Otley and Yeadon, Elliot Nathan, said: “I am delighted that this meeting will take place in Otley.

“Action of this kind is long overdue and I am pleased we have an MP for our area who takes this kind of initiative. I use the bus services from Otley every day and know the pain of waiting for buses that never come, being trapped in long queues and paying a premium for it.

“Having spoken to many people in Otley I know I am not the only one to feel this way. I will certainly be attending on April 4 and hope that I am joined by Otley residents.”

Labour’s Adel and Wharfedale ward candidate, Nigel Gill, added: “I know many Bramhope residents attended the Headingley meeting and I am sure many more will attend this one.”

First’s External Communications Manager, Brandon Jones, thanked the MP for setting up the first meeting and described it as a ‘valuable listening exercise’. The company has also said it is ‘working hard’ to address the issues that have been raised by passengers.