Last chance to have your say on once-in-a-generation bus reform plans

27 December 2023

People across West Yorkshire have just over a week left to have their say on what could be the biggest change to West Yorkshire’s bus network for a generation. 

A decision on the future of the bus system in the region is set to be taken by the Mayor of West Yorkshire in the Spring.

Recent bus reform work by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority has looked at the way buses are run and how this could be improved.

Currently, buses are mainly run by private operators. A Combined Authority assessment has looked at the options for bus reform and concluded that bringing them under the Combined Authority’s control, through a franchising model, would offer “clear strategic benefits”.

The work also looked at the benefits of a new, closer partnership with local bus operators, known as ‘enhanced partnership plus’. 

The Combined Authority has asked people to have their say on how buses are run in West Yorkshire via a 12-week consultation, which launched in October.

In seeking as many responses as possible, in-person events have already taken place across Bradford, Calderdale, Wakefield, Leeds and Kirklees, as well as online webinars and meetings.

People have until January 7 to submit their feedback via the consultation via an online questionnaire, telephone or post.

Subject to the outcome of the consultation and a final decision by Mayor Tracy Brabin, the plans could result in bus services in West Yorkshire coming under closer Combined Authority control. 

Bus Franchising would give the Combined Authority control over the routes, frequency, fares and overall standards of the region’s buses, and it would then contract bus operators to run these on its behalf. 

Simon Warburton, Executive Director of Transport at the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, said:

“We handle significant numbers of comments and complaints on bus services every year and 2023 has been no different. 

“So I'm keen to take this last opportunity to encourage everyone to take part in our consultation – their views will help shape how our bus services could look in future. Our message is: ‘let’s work together and do something about it.’

“The number of responses we’ve had so far have been brilliant, demonstrating how important good bus services are for us all.”

Following the consultation, the results will be published, and a final decision is expected to be made by the Mayor on the future of West Yorkshire’s buses in Spring 2024. 

Visit the following page to check out our bus consultation documents. To have your say – click the “bus reform questionnaire” button at the bottom of the page https://www.yourvoice.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/busreform.