West Yorkshire council leaders have approved a new multi-million pound investment into the acquisition of a new fleet of publicly owned zero-emission electric buses.
The new region-wide franchised network will allow the West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) to set its own bus fares, routes and timetables, forming a crucial part of the integrated Weaver Network aiming to provide transport for passengers and support for local businesses.
The Combined Authority has now started the procurement process for operator selection for the new franchises services, with last week seeing the approval of a 30 million GBP deposit to ensure that vehicles will be delivered in time for the first services starting in April 2027.
Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said:This investment is a major step towards exciting changes for our region's buses.
A brand new fleet of zero emission electric vehicles, including features and designs shaped by the people who use them, will be a vital part of an integrated Weaver Network that makes sustainable travel the easy choice.
Bringing buses under our control will ensure that services work for passengers, creating a greener, better-connected region for everyone.
West Yorkshire’s franchising plan is set to be rolled out across three phases, with each round covering three geographical zones. The full rollout is expected to be completed in 2028.
The region’s new unified transport system, the Weaver Network, was unveiled earlier this year. The scheme will see publicly-owned buses become used for larger franchised contracts and vehicles provided by operators running smaller contracts. Minimal vehicle standards will be set for both, which will cover a range of categories including emissions, capacity, maintenance, customer services, accessibility and safety features.
A public consultation to decide the features of the new fleet of buses will be held this Autumn. In total, the first round of buses have been valued at an estimated 100 million GBP.
The Combined Authority recently opened its ‘dynamic market’ for potential operators, with companies accepted and registered before being invited to bid for contracts across the three rounds of the franchise rollout.
The first round of bids will take place this month and will cover contracts across Kirklees and parts of Leeds.
