Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin has taken her first look at new Weaver Network buses on the production line at the Wrightbus Factory in Northern Ireland.
The vehicles are now being assembled ahead of their rollout in Spring 2027, when the Weaver Network will officially begin operating across the region.
Wrightbus won the contract to produce almost 200 new electric buses in May this year, and these first vehicles will make up a fleet of Combined Authority owned buses for franchising – which will then be leased to operators.
The new vehicles will be equipped with USB charging, air conditioning and more space for wheelchair users, as well as flexible space for pushchairs and luggage. All interior features were decided upon following a public consultation, which took place earlier this year.
Under bus franchising, the West Yorkshire Combined Authority intends to take buses back under public control, setting fares and routes in the process whilst aiming to hold operators to account in a bid to ensure a more consistently reliable service.
Speaking from the factory, Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin said:Across West Yorkshire we are already seeing signs of our new Weaver Network, with new bus shelters and the opening of Heckmondwike Bus Station.
And seeing the new electric buses on the production line is another exciting step on our journey to franchising, before they’re rolling through our cities, towns and countryside.
I can’t wait to see these new buses on our streets as part of a fully integrated transport network under the Weaver Network, providing a better-connected West Yorkshire that works for all.
With under a year to go until the first Weaver Network bus services launch; passengers will soon begin to see more of the new-look transport brand across the region. To begin with; current plans will see over 150 green Weaver Network bus shelters installed across the region, replacing older or faulty shelters that are nearing the end of their lifespan.
