Improvements in Halifax
I live in Halifax, where they are building us a swanky new bus station due to be completed next year I believe. The old one was a nightmare, like standing in a greenhouse in summer and a wind tunnel in bad weather, only partially covered over. So we're glad to be having a new one. However, (and I realise that the logistics of planning this must be a nightmare) whoever has done the planning has obviously has never been to Halifax. Most bus stops have been relocated around the town centre, only ones coming towards the town from Leeds/Bradford direction are going in.Unfortunately I live in that direction!
The entrance to the temporary bus station is at the furthest possible point from the town centre despite there being a slightly nearer access point round the corner, which is gated off and only bus station personnel can use. It's a good 10 minute walk uphill in to the town centre.
The temporary customer service centre has been located next to the entrance - why not at the top of the site near the town? I know that most people gather their information online nowadays - I do myself, but many elderly people don't, and it's a heck of a traipse to pick up a bus timetable or ask a question.
There are no toilet facilities and passengers are advised to use ones in Albion Street, which is right at the far side of the town and only open Thursday to Saturday!
If you need to catch a connecting bus to say Hebden Bridge, the stop is at the top of the town a half mile walk uphill as there are no services from the bus station that go up and through the town during the day - I think there are a couple after 7pm. Why has there not been a shuttle service to get people up into the town and nearer to where stops to other locations are?
Calderdale is trying to promote itself as a tourist attraction, and indeed it does have a lot to boast about, but this is hardly a good first impression for anyone coming in to the town by bus.
I realise that this is only temporary and the benefits will be great at the end (hopefully) but we have another year of this to put up with this.