JJ explains how getting to work by bus and train works for him

JJ is 33 and lives in Pudsey. He explains how getting to work by bus and train works for him. Saving him time, money and de-stressing him for the day ahead. Who could ask for more?

Audio-described (AD) version

Where do you travel to?  

My office is in Manchester and I need to go in twice a week. I get the bus from Pudsey to Leeds and then the train from Leeds to Manchester. 

How long is your journey?  

The bus to Leeds from Pudsey, is about 35 minutes and then it’s a five-minute walk to Leeds train station. I then get on the Leeds to Manchester Victoria train, which takes 50 minutes. So, door-to-door, I'm looking at an hour and a half journey, twice a week. Which is about 20 minutes less than it takes to drive there, in rush hour traffic. 

Does the journey take much planning?  

Because I'm quite used to the times, I just come down to the bus station and look at the board. If the weather's quite bad, I'll use the First app to make sure the bus is running on time. I only live 10-minutes away, so it's quite easy for me to plan my journey.  

What kind of ticket do you buy?  

Buying my ticket depends on my work schedule, one day a week, I'll buy single tickets on the bus, and then I'll use the Northern app to buy my train tickets as my schedule can be unpredictable.  

The second day I go to work, because I know it's a longer day and I'm coming back on public transport, I'll buy a return for the bus and train. For this I’ll use the Northern app and I use contactless on the bus, I don't use cash. 

Why do you prefer using public transport?  

I chose to travel by public transport because I don't have to start driving a car at 6am, I can get on the bus, tune out and gear myself up for my job. I'm quite environmentally conscious and travelling by bus takes another car off the road.

I'm quite environmentally conscious and travelling by bus takes another car off the road.

Is it cheaper to travel by public transport? 

In terms of cost, there's a massive saving for me using public transport. In total, my two days a week cost me about £25 a week, whereas I'm looking at £85 when it comes to the car. Every little helps, in the cost-of-living crisis. 

What would you say to anyone considering the bus? 

I'd say that they're quite reliable, and you'd be surprised at what other routes buses go. A few years ago, they wouldn't go as far as they do right now. The bus terminal in Leeds city centre is quite centralised, and the bus routes go all over Leeds. And the travel time itself is quite short. So, I'd say to anyone - jump on the bus, you save yourself money and you get to where you need to be.  

Is it easy travelling by bus and train? 

Buses and trains are well connected here in the region. I can get to anywhere in West Yorkshire within an hour and a half normally. I'll sit back, relax and enjoy the journey.  

Do you have access to a car? 

My partner does have a car and drives - we use the car for personal use (shopping, visiting family/ friends etc). We try not to use the car for long journeys if we can make the journey via public transport, but cost Vs time comes into consideration. An example recently is going to London was cheaper on the train than the car despite the car being shorter time wise. 

Why do you prefer public transport? 

I can get on the bus, sit in my seat, put my headphones on, listen to a podcast and tune out. I've got a quite demanding job, so to be able to chill out before I get into work and psych myself up for the day is a great benefit. Plus, sometimes the scenery is nice outside the window of a bus or a train, there is always something to look at, so that's always quite nice to chill you out and get you ready for the day.

JJ

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