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Leeds Live
Leeds Live
National
Nathan Hyde

There's an obvious answer to Leeds' public transport woes, say LeedsLive readers

Building a tram network is the obvious answer to Leeds' long-standing public transport problems.

That's according to readers who have taken part in a LeedsLive poll which asked them what should be done to improve the city's public transport network.

1,443 readers (68 per cent) said a tram was the best option, while 286 (14 per cent) called for more buses.

160 people (8 per cent) called for train services to be improved, while another 160 said they will just stick to using a car.

56 said walking was the way forward and just 18 said more cycling infrastructure was the solution.

After two failed attempts to bring trams back to Leeds, which cost the taxpayer more than £70 million, West Yorkshire Combined Authority is now working on a project to open a tram network in Leeds in 2033.

The organisation, which has invited transport specialists, engineers and tram operators from around the world to help draw up more detailed plans for a new tram network, states that battery-powered trams with no overhead wires are "likely to be the most viable option" and it now needs financial and political support from the government.

Leeds City Council is working to tackle long-standing problems with congestion and pollution in the city and encouraging people to ditch their cars and use public transport.

The £270 million Leeds Public Transport Investment Programme is well underway and the main focus of the scheme is improving bus services across the city.

West Yorkshire Combined Authority is also exploring plans to bring First Bus services back under public control.

It has announced that it is looking at a London-style franchising system that prioritises passengers not profits.

In a statement released last month, it said: "Franchising would change the way that bus services are organised in the region.

"Instead of the current deregulated system, whereby routes and fares are almost entirely decided by private companies, it would enable local contracts to be awarded to run services based on the needs of local people.

“It would allow much greater control over fares, routes, ticketing arrangements and timetables."

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