A Train, a Town and a Bus That Died! Or Did It? My Fascinating Day Trip to Ilkley.

[@carolinecrollick6305]

It is being reinstated in Feb of next year the X84 bus.

[@stephenhope7319]

Wife and I are visiting from Sacramento, Ca in February, have family in Manchester and Preston. We will defo be coming into Yorkshire for a Bronte sister trip to Howarth and will visit Ilkley. Thanks for that info. Enjoy your trips. I was born and raised in Manchester and immigrated in 1981 toCalifornia. Thanks for that.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

@@stephenhope7319 thanks for watching Stephen and I hope you both have a great visit!

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Ilkley is indeed a lovely place. Great vid as always.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers mate. Would I go again? Yes definitely but it’d be there and back on the train I think after this.

[@smogontheline]

Loved the video, Mr. Northern Trains, I mean Mark 😂 Hope your health has improved since I last commented. Andy.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Haha, cheers (I think I’ve fixed that now!). Getting a little better, slowly.

[@f1brianm]

I don’t want to be that person but… as a proud Edinburger I feel I must point out that it has 20 platforms Mark! Great video once again!

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

No you’re right mate. I meant to say ‘England’ will probably edit it out tbh. Thanks for pointing it out 😊👍

[@yyyfffff33333]

I knew you would mention " ba tat " . I think that song puts it on the map !

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Definitely! I should’ve sang it really.

[@Timstravels01]

Both Ilkley and Otley are very pleasant parts of the world. Cracking vid Mr. Northern Trains.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Haha, thanks mate. Yes another couple of places I wish I’d have stayed longer at.

[@sirjonty18]

Can't believe you visited ilkley without walking up to the Cow and calf.

[@Toastfacekillah87]

So glad i dont have to commute through Leeds anymore. Public transport in Leeds is a dumpster fire. Moved to Notts and the buses here are impressive

[@Locknut61]

Both the buses and trains used to be more frequent. Both services were 3 per hour weekdays and Saturdays. In it's heyday the X84 had services alternately terminating at Otley, Ilkley and Skipton. The replacement service, the 25 & 26 are, as you mentioned, much slower, particularly the 25 that goes via Poole in Wharfedale. For that reason it is also no longer a half hourly service, but at 20/40 minute intervals. Though quiet on Sundays, the buses do get very busy at times, and the change from limited stop is causing people to be left behind at peak times from Leeds as they fill up with people taking shorter journeys.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Interesting, the Sunday service I must admit I found it surprising it was every 30 mins. Lucky to get anything at all on a Sunday where I live! It’s got to be the train for me, a touch more expensive but it was a pretty good ride tbh.

[@gisbyphil]

When I lived in Harrogate I used the 36 bus to Leeds then got a West Yorkshire day server which you can use any West Yorkshire bus I used the service you took enjoyed it

[@sheilam4525]

Looks a beautiful place, Mark😊. I like the thought of bandstands still being used👍

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Yes we have one in Shrewsbury. I played in it once!

[@hulme187]

I no longer live in the UK but I enjoy your content as a reminder of back home.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Brilliant! And thanks very much for your support 😊👍

[@kevinmcanulty2593]

Thanks. Hope you are feeling better. Great to see these stations still operating post Beeching which you mentioned

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers Kevin, I am a bit better mate yes. I enjoyed this journey too - definitely recommended 😊👍

[@stogieguy7]

Ilkley: yet another place to try and visit on my next UK trip. Thanks for sharing some of these gems with us!

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

My pleasure! And thanks for watching 😊👍

[@jamescrawford9883]

Another much enjoyed video, Mark. Cheers from Oz.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers James. Bet you’re having better weather than us atm!

[@jamescrawford9883]

@ yes Mark, it has been a pretty hot start to summer. We have had some good rains here. (I am in inland NSW, 400 km from the coast). Cheers.

[@TravelSignal]

Looks like a nice day out. Thanks for showing us!

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

It was mate. I should do a few more of these little branch lines 👍

[@VisitingPiddlyStations]

Another brilliant video Mark. Sorry about northern!

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

They were absolutely fine mate. Odd looking trains I thought but a nice enough ride 👍

[@michaelstaley2241]

Lovely part of the world very enjoyable.. cheers Mark..

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

It was Michael. Definitely recommended!

[@dw140271]

Hi Mark, great to see you visiting my home town of Ilkley, a great place to live and please do return as there’s a pint with your name on it! Best wishes, David

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Nice one, cheers David. I’ve been promised a cup of tea in Harrogate too - friendly bunch you lot! 😊👍

[@CroydonBuses196]

Great video! 17:29 shame megabus withdrew their services😞😞

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Here and most other places by the looks of it!

[@dazzlingdaz187]

And another thing, "changeable September weather". December says "hold my beer!"

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Haha, yes!

[@ianjames9166]

Good old First Bus eh Mark? (said with a truck load of sarcasm and bitterness) Not surprised to see they are fannying about with routes and services, they are doing the same in Worcester and not for the better either. They're up there with CrossCountry trains for me when it comes to travel companies not fit for purpose. Great content as ever, keep up the fantastic work and stay well!

[@carolinecrollick6305]

@@ianjames9166 luckily all prevail and it has now been reinstated

[@ianjames9166]

@@carolinecrollick6305 ah nice! 😊😊

[@georgemacpherson1992]

Ilkley is typically a middle class area from what I know. The X84 has been replaced by 26 as of 27th October this year. I used to live in Burley-In-Wharfedale which you passed on the train and went through with the bus.

[@samhodgson9928]

I live in Burley George nice place to live.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Yes it did have that kind of feel to it. Some lovely towns and villages up there though. Definitely go back 👍

[@garyburke8842]

Really enjoyable video 😀 would love to visit one day

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

I definitely recommend it Gary 😊👍

[@wesleytill1629]

Another great video. Thank you Mark 😊

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Thanks for watching Wesley 😊

[@brianjohnson2895]

You got it all bang-to-rights! Outside the M25, and in this busy metropolitan area, the quality of rail and road transport vehicles is..."just OK". A £2 fare at the moment in England....excluding to pampered luvvies in London, where it is, and will remain far cheaper, even after the 'Provinces of the Empire Londinium' will be soon raised to £3!! And you were right to be sniffing about what was going on with the X84 route. This used to be Leeds City Transport's (and successors up to the advent of 'First Rubbish Leeds') premiere, heavily-used, LIMITED STOP route. Top-notch, big-engined, well-turned-out buses that ran FAST, all the way to Skipton - impressive! Then First Useless Tartan took over. FIRST, watering down the fleet of inherited elite buses. SECOND, deleting the (very useful) route all the way to Skipton via Otley and Ilkley. THIRD, now, deleting the 'X' limited stops. Throughout this time, there have been unannounced cancellations, leaving people (including myself doing the very same journey you report on in this video) stranded, in my case for over one and a half hours at Ilkley. The last time I rode on this route (having changed from the generally, excellent Transdev Group at Ilkley) the late-running FIRST RUBBISH BUS, was an ancient, dirty, threadbare Wrights Eclipse Gemini, in original Scottish Thistle purple colours, that had been pulled out of the company's graveyard fleet to cover for yet another failure. THIS IS WHY FEW PEOPLE NOW USE THIS MUCH-LOVED ROUTE ANY MORE!

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers Brian, I totally get what you mean and of course you are much more knowledgeable of the area than me. Mind you, try living in Shrewsbury where the bus service is absolutely appalling!

[@TravelJackJourneys158]

Fantastic video Mark a place I haven't been to before either. Those Class 333 are a bit different build by CAF in early 200s similar to the old Heathrow Express trains. Thank you for sharing

[@samhodgson9928]

Live here and it is a nice part of Yorkshire it's an Ls29 postcode but comes under bradford council. Not just ilkley highlights in the town access to great walks and the river. Don't que for bettys(the famous posh cafe)much nicer local cafes etc Bit of fact for you Ben Rydding was built for the well healed to come and take the waters at the Hydro which is long gone One of ilkley's most well known exports is Alan Titchmarsh who grew up in the town Found your video really informative fun and interesting youve got a good mix in there well done.

[@northern_123]

The building you saw on the roundabout at the end by the bus station has a fascinating history, as does the opposite Quarry Hill. Once a petrol station, a failed water feature (permanently turned off by the Council) and a failed sculpture site only enduing up with one statue when it was meant to be surrounded by them. Would highly recommend reading into it! I hope you enjoyed your time in Leeds!

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers mate. It said on Google Maps it was a fountain so I was surprised to see this instead! I’ll have a look 😊👍

[@SLEEPYSID99]

I'd see Shaun Ryder , Happy Mondays.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

And me mate 👍

[@derisleybrittain]

Excellent ❤❤❤❤

[@Wildknaap]

Love your videos. They are always so hopelessly hopefull.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Haha, I try my best! 😊

[@AlsTrainspottingHD]

Another good video I really enjoyed this one. Ilkley is a nice place to visit I went there in August of 2024 and I really liked the look of the place. I was walking parts of the Yorkshire Dales Way path with my mom and it is truly stunning part of the UK.

[@stephenclark9917]

The X84 use to *not* put-down Leeds > Headingley > Lawnswood and then pick-up/put-down to Otley and Ilkley. The return did *not* pick-up Lawnswood to Leeds. So the X84 was no good for people travelling to Headingley/Lawnswood from Leeds - but there are 4 or 5 other services that do get you to Headingley. Now the new services are so full of people travelling from Leeds to Headingley/Lawnswood that people who want to travel beyond Lawnswood can not get on the bus. So the change has both increased journey times and reduced capacity to get on a bus to Otley.

[@samuell.foxton4177]

Along with a halving of frequency on the other Leeds-Otley bus route

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Obviously I don’t have your good knowledge of the area, but I totally get what you mean. Doesn’t sound that well thought-out to me.

[@Ulleskelf]

Nice to see you here! Guiseley was my home station for nearly 20 years. When it was first electrified, we had cascaded slam-door class 308s from that London. The 333s came around 2001-2 and are super for the short runs into and out of Leeds and Bradford Forster Square.

[@theleedsbusdriver]

@@Ulleskelf that was good days

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Yep, comfortable ride it was. Weird looking trains from the outside though I thought.

[@Locknut61]

​@@LetsMakeaTrip 333s are nicknamed "hamsters", for obvious reasons. They were pretty well exclusive to the Leeds/Ilkley/Bradford triangle for about 10 years. When we moved from Chelmsford to Otley my wife got a job in Leeds and started commuting by train, back on the exact same 308 units that she had commuted to London on for quite a few years.

[@Locknut61]

​@@LetsMakeaTripThe blocks at the front are part of the collision override protection.

[@irishmark2180]

Hi mate great video. Hope you’re getting better mate.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers Mark, I’m getting there slowly 😊👍

[@irishmark2180]

@ your very welcome I’ve been watching a lot a you in Ireland. There is 1 ferry one you may like rosslare to Pembroke Ireland I’ve done that 1 twice

[@SeanMidlandstransporthub]

Great video mate, the class 333 is nicknamed the 'Fish Bowl' 😂

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Ah I didn’t know that and I can see why! Cheers Sean.

[@baseballfan99]

Good news the X84 will be reinstated in February. I also enjoyed my trip in Ilkley and we also walked through the riverside park and did visit Betty’s for some delicious cake. The trains are a bit space aged looking but have lasted well over the years. I do love the Yorkshire Dales and this is certainly one of the easier places to visit.

[@simonkenny3497]

Seems like a nice place to visit. Love the stream/river running through the middle. Lot quieter on a Sunday than a weekday I presume.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Yes it was. The stream was quite quirky really and they’ve made it an attraction in itself. Lovely spot.

[@nigelkthomas9501]

Good video! I don’t know what First were thing of when they withdrew the X84! I had a ride on it in its last week of operation and it was pretty good, despite being delayed by around twenty minutes. I did it in three parts; Leeds to Golden Acre Park; then on to Otley and then finally on to Ilkley. There were two sets of roadworks which caused significant delays, but I was planning on taking the train home anyway.

[@Intotheweehours20]

I see a member of ZZ top was at otley bus station 🙂

[@russellshackleton258]

Another really nice journey that I think people would like to see would be from Leeds to Keighley by train, then change to the KWVR heritage line to Howarth. You could then get the bus from Howarth to Keighley.

[@enricomonti156]

2c platform. I took countless trains towards Skipton from there. I used to go often to Leeds as a close friend was studying there. I did use some Northern services all over the North of England and in some times of the year you can even get £1 or £2 fares as a promotion (I once travelled from Leeds to Skipton for £1 in 2022). I have been to Ilkley one morning in 2019 and was overall lovely. I travelled there from Skipton on a bus route (of which I do not remember the number) that had much less passengers that the X84 in average.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

It’s a lovely pat of the world. I did read that Leeds with all its ‘4A, 4B, 4C’ platforms etc actually has over 40 in reality!

[@PaulGodfrey]

Very interesting video. Not sure that an express bus on that route against the train was a smart move by First. A regular bus with plenty stops filling in the gaps between stations seems a better idea.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Which seems to be the idea now but most of the stops appear to be in Leeds. I don’t know the area tbh so I’d defer to the locals opinion. Personally though, it’d be the train every time 😊👍

[@trevormegson7583]

One of my favourite trips is Leeds to Ilkley by train, at least 6 times a year. I'm not fit enough to go onto the moors now but it's such a scenic ride. The X84 bus trip is very timely, although you didn't know of the controversy to come at the time of filming. Really enjoyed the familiar scenery throughout this video. Thank you.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers Trevor. Yes this must be one of the last videos to feature the X84 I suspect (not that there are that many anyway!). Ilkley looked a lovely place too, would definitely go back 😊👍

[@calebmumby5803]

a very entertaining video mark thank you

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Thanks for watching mate 😊👍

[@gazwj]

Yehh the class333 are extremely common across the leeds/bradford to skipton/ilkley lines, yet to be replaced by 331’s fully (some 3 car units run) which is mainly due to platforms not being long enough with most stations getting extensions in the area

[@gordonprentice7090]

Great video was in Ilkley earlier this year and really enjoyed it. Only thing is you saiid Leeds had the most platform in U.K outside London but Edinburgh Waverley has 20.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Did you know, Leeds has over 40 platforms if you include all the ‘a, b, c’s’.

[@quintuscrinis]

Ashamed to say I used to live in Headingly for 3 years as a student. Went to Otely on that bus a few times but never made it Ilkley. Looks like a beautiful place.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

It was, yes. I only went through Headingley so couldn’t really comment. Looked ok from the bus though.

[@quintuscrinis]

@LetsMakeaTrip headingly had lots of pubs - though I used to enjoy the station and walks down the Meanwood Valley trail away from the town centre more.

[@fredstrainandbusvids.]

First seem to do this quite a lot. I live in Somerset where FirstBus are dominant - you should come down to Somerset and go on a Buses of Somerset service, there are plenty of beautiful routes to choose from, they just don’t run that frequently

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers Fred, I haven’t done much in Somerset yet so I’ll definitely put it on the list! 😊👍

[@dazzlingdaz187]

Another great video, Mark. It just shows that you see more on a bus, and it's cheaper than the train, so if you have the time it must be better? Shame they've cut the route though

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

You do see more but the train on this route was pretty similar in price and when the bus fare cap increases it’ll probably be cheaper. I liked Ilkley, definitely recommend it 👍

[@77smp]

Hey. Just a small pedantry point. Actual platforms, there are more at Waverley with 20.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Did you know Leeds has over 40 when you include all the A’s, B’s, C’s etc.

[@darren25061965]

Little Factoid, Leeds station is 1 of 8 UK stations to have a Platform Zero (0).

[@Richard-gk3kq]

Hi Mark, by coincidence I went to Ilkley by train on Tuesday for the day. It’s a lovely town and some great shops and cafe bars. If you have a West Yorkshire Senior Bus Pass you can travel anywhere in West Yorkshire by train for half price as well as free bus travel. PS. You are correct about the charity shops, you can be lucky and get designer clothes.

[@stephenclark9917]

The charity shops in Wetherby are also worth a visit for a bargain.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Nice Richard, I will have to go back. Not old enough for my bus pass yet but I’m not far off!! Cheers 😊👍

[@Tripreporternet]

Hoi, Mark, well done. Pretty interesting. Good to see it from you´re point of view. Been to Yorkshire´s Airport, LBA/LeedsBradford by plane and also the surrounding area. Greetings, Markus

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers Markus. I’ve never been to LBA but at least I know where it is now!

[@andyfreeman7441]

Nice video as always Mark - you might be interested to know that the train type on which you travelled used to be on the Heathrow Express route from Paddington to Heathrow before Great Western took the route over. I really like that part of the world, I love the colour of the stone used for the older buildings.....hope you had a good night out in Leeds, some wonderful old pubs there.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Interesting Andy, I didn’t know that. Always enjoy going to Leeds and I agree, there’s plenty of decent pubs up there 👍

[@paulgibsonphotography]

Great Video Mark

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Thanks Paul, glad you enjoyed 😊👍

[@Eddy2730]

Harry Corbett, the creator of 'Sooty' (a popular children's TV program) lived in Guiseley. Sadly, he died in 1989 but his legacy is still with us.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Yes I just about remember him. I certainly remember his son!

[@matthewbateman1947]

the yellow on the front was a safty feature but the rules have changed since 2017 the class 345 was the frist without yellow fronts

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Nice one, cheers Matthew 😊👍

[@anpj2006]

Lovely little town Ilkley. I like to go once a year.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Yes I thought so. Just a nice day out and I should do more trips like this tbh.

[@iansargent1159]

The interesting building near the bus station is actually a car park the building next to it is John Lewis. Great video 👍

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers Ian 😊👍

[@robertalan3214]

Thanks Mark, another interesting vlog, some nice towns there, I do hope your on the mend and feeling better buddy 👍

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers Robert, it was a nice area I agree. Definitely glad I made the effort 😊👍

[@terryosullivan2620]

Very good video trip. Leeds is a cityi really need to visit. Were the buses busy.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Terry, the buses I took were quiet. It may have been the day I did them tbh but the frequency would indicate they can get busy.

[@smogmonster1876]

Looks great. Nice video. Just one thing. The bus was quite a posh bus for a service bus. You try Arriva buses, they’re dirty inside and out, tatty cloth seating or very uncomfortable with zero leg room (and I’m 5’8” ) leatherette seats and that’s if they turn up at all. As for the service being scrapped, sadly all too common. I suppose at least there is a replacement unlike many services that have been scrapped. Whatever happened to “Buses buses buses” as promised by Thatcher and Ridley leading up to their destruction of bus services with deregulation.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

I have Arriva by me and totally agree they are absolutely rubbish! Very envious of some areas that are served by clean, smart, new buses. Look at what Transdev are doing.

[@smogmonster1876]

@ Indeed, Also Go North East too have by and large clean smart buses that make you want to journey by bus. The Transdev 36 from Ripon to Harrogate then Leeds is exceptional. Many companies try to attract you on to their buses. Arriva seem to go out of their way to do the exact opposite. Safe travels.

[@harriscouwenberg139]

great one Mark, and yes, it is posh, or pretends to be

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Lol, you said that, not me! 😂

[@samhodgson9928]

There's certainly no pretence about it,it's a very posh town much like Harrogate. Interestingly it was a 'Spa' town which often tend to have stayed upmarket. It's a nice place to live and as the op said no bad thing living in a nice place.

[@nickqueenan4382]

Going back a few years but If i remember rightly, the building in the middle of the roundabout near the bus station in Leeds was a BP petrol station.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Yes somebody else said that. I was assuming it was there before the island?

[@nickqueenan4382]

@@LetsMakeaTrip As far back as I can remember the petrol station was in the middle of a roundabout. Quite unusual.

[@superted6960]

Remnants of the old Ilkley - Skipton railway still exist in the Embsay & Bolton Abbey Steam Railway. Oh, and that interesting building on the roundabout, right at the end, used to be a filling station.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Thanks for the info mate. I wouldn’t have had that down as a filling station but then I’m assuming that was before the roundabout was built?

[@superted6960]

​@@LetsMakeaTripBack in the day the roundabout was a bit bigger and contained the filling station. The building in the middle would be where you paid. Google "Eastgate Roundabout Leeds" and you'll likely get a link to an old Yorkshire Evening Post article with a nice colour photo and the (in)famous Quarry Hill flats in the background. 60 years ago traffic was nowhere as frantic as it is now.

[@pamelatowers-f3k]

@@LetsMakeaTrip Hi Mark, the petrol station was in the middle of the roundabout!

[@robertmorris5214]

Nice one Mark

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers Robert 😊👍

[@sarahillingworth2718]

Hope you're feeling a bit better 👍

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

A bit yes but a way to go yet. I was much better in September when that video was filmed 😂

[@sarahillingworth2718]

@LetsMakeaTrip ah ok well I hope you're a bit better by Xmas 👍

[@chriswade7470]

I haven’t been to Ilkley in years. I had a school friend who lived in Otley, they then moved to Luddenden ( which is near Halifax, well Sowerberry Bridge)

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Otley looked quite nice. If I went up there again, I’d probably want to do a bit of walking. Scenery looks lovely 👍

[@MrCobo04]

Often went to Leeds. Stayed at either Met hotel or travel inn.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

I’ve done two Travelodges and an Ibis so far. I’m sure Leeds has better if you have the money!

[@johncrwarner]

j thought about going to Guiseley and take a shortish walk to the original Harry Ramsden's Restaurant (now called the Whetherby Whaler) The location was chosen because if you went on a coach trip from either Leeds or Bradford you would always go through Guiseley and Harry Ramsden's was on the roundabout where the roads to Bradford and Leeds separated.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

I didn’t know that John, cheers 😊👍

[@johncrwarner]

@@LetsMakeaTrip Beyond that I know nothing else about Guiseley but as a child coming home after a day trip in the Dales my father would pull into the car park and we would go into the "posh" restaurant with waitresses in "nippy" uniforms served plaice and chips etc. LOL

[@DaveP668]

The X84 was great because it was a limited stop service which didn't stop in Headingley. The new services do, so anyone wishing to go to Otley or Ilkley (10-12 miles) is competing with thousands of students only wanting to go 1-3 miles who have lots of other services to choose from.

[@colinmanning-nx2kg]

I’d do the return journey by train every time, the extra cost is well worth it as quicker and wouldn’t make me feel travel sick!

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

I tend to agree on this one Colin. Booked in advance, it’ll soon be cheaper than the bus too!

[@andywillis2650]

I thought the bus had broken down on the way back to Leeds ! :) Hope that cold etc has done one ?

[@stephenmcculley7]

West Yorkshire Day Rovers are also available. Unsure of the prices these days.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

I’ll be sure to check that out next time I’m up there 👍

[@AllTheStationsUK]

Hi Mark, quick question what’s the rules around using a travel companies branding in your video or in like the thumbnail?

[@MichaelCampin]

Next time head to Burley in Wharfedale and go to the Stepping Stones and watch for the salmon leaping.

[@Locknut61]

More likely to spot a Mersey Trout these days.

[@MichaelCampin]

@Locknut61 really back in about 1995 I used to see them but I'd forgotten that was nearly 30years ago

[@stephenmcculley7]

I believe West Yorkshire are going ahead with bus franchising, so maybe the might re-introduced under this scheme.

[@anpj2006]

You should have gone to Betty’s for lunch!

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

I know. Like I said in the video, that’s twice now I’ve missed out!

[@pamelatowers-f3k]

@@LetsMakeaTrip Betty’s is great but don’t forget to take out a second mortgage before you visit!

[@CherylRayment-d9y]

Had to resubscribe as got a new phone. And had to recreate everything which was a pain

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Well thanks for re-subscribing Cheryl, it’s really appreciated, cheers 😊

[@D_B_Cooper]

I'm jealous of the price fare cap. Here in Scotland fares are either free or extortionate. I feel like a mug every time I pay a fare when the buses are more like youth clubs on wheels

[@GabrielsReviews]

Yes , I agree .

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

It is a bit of a shock when I take the bus north of the border. Long-distance I don’t mind so much and that’s what most of my bus journeys have been like tbf but yep, most of them are well over £10 a go.

[@S1MP34GB]

Many people don't know this but Ilkley moor had a famous alien sighting back 1 December 1987. They even captured the alien on photo, although the authenticity disputed.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Interesting! I’ll have to google that now 👍

[@AllTheStationsUK]

Quick question Mark, how do you manage to get all your walking onto bus shots? Do you have like a body mount for your camera or something? Have always wondered

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Just a clip on my bag Scott. Camera attaches to that 👍

[@stephenclark9917]

The X84 is to be re-instated in February after a petition to have it back!

[@morrisjw21]

Correct in the comment that it is “posh”. Definitely a couple of nice independent coffee shops/delis for lunch (New Brook Street Deli). Maybe next time!

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Yes it actually seemed like a flourishing little town (which is no bad thing these days). Shrewsbury is a bit like that, though I always think if you live there (like me) you never really appreciate it that much.

[@MichaelCampin]

My ex bil and sil used to live in Ilkley but as I lived in Sunderland public transport wasnt an option it had to be by car via Harrogate

[@tonys1636]

You didn't heed the song then and went Bah T'at. When one's CB handle was Shiny Top, even more so now, a hat is essential all year round. A Panama in summer and an Aussie Bush Hat in winter. (typo edit)

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Haha, no. I’m not averse to the odd moor but yep, will be wearing a decent hat if I do!

[@djburland]

Train there and back !

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

I think so on this occasion. Especially if booked a little in advance.

[@walterfillingham]

Sounds like typical behaviour from First Bus, the company itself based in Aberdeen where the headquarters are located. They cut all services running to and from Aberdeen city centre to Aberdeen Airport in Dyce saying there was low passenger demand for the service. Then Stagecoach came along and took over the service, running a service every 10 to 15 minutes, ironically making the service the number 1 most busy bus service in North East Scotland.. if First Bus cannot every run decent bus services in their own home city.. makes you think

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

As per usual Walter, it’ll be all about money! Shame they can’t look at someone like Transdev Blazefield and see what they’re doing with bus companies in the area.

[@AndreiTupolev]

Vintage AEC & ERF lorries at14:45

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Yes I filmed them and left them in hoping someone would know what they were. Cheers Andrei👍

[@Fan652w]

The problems with the Leeds-Otley-Ilkley buses would have not arisen if buses in West Yorkshire were franchised by a regional transport authority, as is the case in London and (now) in Greater Manchester. No wonder West Yorkshire mayor Tracey Brabin want bus franchising in West Yorkshire.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

I wonder if it’ll ever happen though. Will be interesting to see (as with the trains).

[@Pmcknockiter81]

Yay day early

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Just trying it out Paul. Hope you enjoyed 😊

[@matthewsmith8727]

What travelodge did you stay in whilst in Leeds?

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

The one near the railway station 👍

[@matthewsmith8727]

@ good choice the travelodge on vicar lane is to be avoided!

[@LaluBhaiya1233]

The name's Trains.... Northen Trains 🚆

[@michaelscott7166]

I take it you avoided the temptation of getting absolutely rinsed by going in to Betty's for your coffee then? Ilkley's a nice place though.

[@alanshelly7068]

EMR stop there 2

[@peterdean8009]

'There' meaning Leeds.

[@alanshelly7068]

@peterdean8009 I know EMR stop Leeds to I think

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers Alan 👍

[@MichaelCampin]

It wasnt Beeching he was a scapegoat,he wrote the report but Marples, Minister of Transport and a man who had vested interests in road transport businesses put the nails in the coffins of branch lines, Barbara Castle fully implemented the report so I pity the reputation of Dr Beeching being besmirched over all these years

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Yes totally, Marples loved roads didn’t he. Benching is always the name people associate with the cuts though so it kind of gets referenced a lot. I’m as guilty as anyone tbh.

[@MichaelCampin]

@LetsMakeaTrip I believed it too until I did some research about Marples, Beeching had some proposals but Marples and Castle put it into action

[@ianpotter5840]

There’s an interesting documentary on KZbin “Hindsight - Dr Beeching” broadcast originally in 1981 where the doctor reflects on his report, and the state of the railways 18 years after its publication. In the programme Richard Beeching is unrepentant and actually states that he wishes his proposals could have been implemented more fully (line closures particularly). I agree that he doesn’t really deserve his “hangman” label though - his ideas for the future of railfreight were spot on and his brief was to make the railways pay - at that time it seemed that only drastic cuts could do this.

[@PaulGodfrey]

It always struck me how many closed railways ended up with a dual carriageway along them. I think Beeching got it wrong but someone would have had to tackle the over supply of railways in the UK at the time.

[@MichaelCampin]

@@PaulGodfrey easy answer Marples, minister of transport with interests in road construction and transport companies

[@jjsmallpiece9234]

What more could a man want, a Sunday night in Leeds?

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

It doesn’t get any better than that mate!

[@theleedsbusdriver]

I'm gutted I wasn't driving the first leeds bus u rode

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Next time mate 🤞😊

[@samuell.foxton4177]

By the look of your profile pic I’m guessing Bramley depot… so I’m likely to have been on one of yours