Northern have announced time table changes which will see a reduction in Bradford Forster Square train services in May.
Bradford will see services reduced to hourly after the morning peak from Bradford Forster Square to Shipley, Ilkley and Skipton from 15 May 2022. Northern had already reduced its timetable due to the pandemic at the end of 2021 and start of 2022.
Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, says many other routes will see cuts to peak-time and evening services and has expressed her anger and frustration that rail services across the region are to be further reduced by Northern:
“I’m angry and disappointed to see yet another round of cuts to train services across West Yorkshire, with some of our least connected communities being hit hardest.
“I have written to Northern seeking an urgent meeting to explain why these cuts are taking place, and what steps they will be taking to return to a full timetable.
“I am deeply concerned that the impact of the pandemic is being used as a smokescreen for cuts to local rail services and have written to the Transport Secretary to confirm that his government is committed to supporting operators to re-instate services as soon as possible.
“Rail demand has been recovering more quickly in the North than in other parts of the country. At a time when people are returning to offices to work or visiting friends and family, to then cut back services is unfathomable. Our night-time economy will also suffer with so many gaps in services in the evenings.”
The May timetable operates from Sunday 15 May until Saturday 10 December 2022, and have been updated on the website www.northernrailway.co.uk.