Fed up passengers were tonight due to discuss the performance of Arriva Trains Northern following the announcement of its revised timetable and replacement of services with buses.

The Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) has fined the company £2 million for its poor performance between May and August when hundreds of passengers waited on platforms for trains which did not arrive.

The need for better city to city services from Bradford and the possibility of a rail link between Forster Square and the Interchange were already on the agenda for the meeting organised by the West Yorkshire branch of Transport 2000 and the Yorkshire branch of Rail Future.

But today Roland Dale, of Rail Future, said the unsatisfactory situation with Arriva Northern would also be discussed.

He said; "It is very disturbing that a major player in the rail industry has to got into such a mess."

Mr Dale said Arriva Northern should also realise that bus services were not a substitute for trains and were a "second best" for travellers in the revised timetable.

The meeting will be held in the Saville Room at City Hall at 7.30pm.