PEOPLE in Otley are to be given the chance to make a real difference to bus services both around the town and between outlying villages.

An enormous number of people rely on the bus service and as towns become steadily gridlocked by the sheer volume of cars, an increasing number will come to rely on both buses and trains.

In Otley, a common complaint is that there is no railway station. The nearest is at Menston but with its own problems of limited car parking and a less than reliable bus connection, it is not ideal.

Now, people are being given the chance to say what they think - what services they believe should be provided and whether a regular bus link to Menston Railway Station would be a good idea.

The consultation process, which begins later this month, will seek to make a real difference. It might be that money already there is used to better effect - to reorganise bus services to the better satisfaction of everyone. Then again, there is a chance that people feel strongly enough to pay a higher precept on their annual Council

Tax bills to further subsidise buses.

What is important is that anyone who uses buses, or who would like a reliable link from Otley to Menston Railway Station, makes sure they put forward their views.

The consultation, which will involve the West Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive's information bus and a public meeting, has been arranged by the Otley Town Partnership. It comes after a survey in the town revealed many people were unhappy with irregular and inappropriate bus services.

The consultation could make a real difference, but it needs people's views if transport bosses are to take any notice - now is your time to make your voice heard.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.