A COUPLE have launched a petition to try and have a regular, direct bus service between Keighley and Halifax restored.

The campaign was the idea of 68-year-old Tricia Lowth, of Cross Roads, Keighley, and is being backed by her husband Hugh.

Mrs Lowth said the petition has generated an enthusiastic response, with hundreds signing since it was launched on February 12.

She said: "It wouldn't even have to be an hourly bus. One bus every two hours would be better than what we have now."

Mrs Lowth said that because people currently have to change at Bradford, Denholme or Hebden Bridge, bus journeys between Keighley and Halifax can now take up to two hours.

Colin Booth, general manager at Keighley for bus company Transdev, said: "We always take a keen interest in people’s views of the local bus network and all suggestions and ideas are gratefully received.

"Any case to invest in new routes is not something we shy away from, but is modelled carefully based on clear, sampled research and potential demand."

A spokesman for First Bus, which runs services in Halifax, said: "In considering such suggestions we'd look very carefully at the levels of demand and alternatives available.

"In this case connections do exist, for example at Denholme, with some total journey times of less than one hour.

"At this time we are not convinced there is enough demand for a new direct service, but we will look carefully at the suggestion and consider the best way to connect customers between Halifax and Keighley."