Mayor helps launch new Leeds ‘superloop’ bus service

18 July 2024

Bus passengers in Leeds will soon be able to travel around suburban areas without changing buses in the city centre – as the West Yorkshire Mayor announces a brand new “circular” bus service, starting this month.

West Yorkshire Combined Authority and Leeds-based operator Squarepeg have teamed up to create the new 9/9c service, which starts from the White Rose Centre, taking in Middleton, Rothwell and Swillington, before heading east to Garforth.

The route then passes through Colton, Crossgates and Seacroft, before travelling along the A6120 towards Roundhay and Moortown.

The hourly service then travels down the west side of the city, taking in Horsforth, Farsley, Pudsey and Farnley, before heading down Beeston Ring Road and returning to the White Rose Centre. A clockwise service – the 9c – will also run the reverse of the route.

The number 9, which starts on Monday, July 22, will help connect people in Leeds with leisure sites across the region, with stops within walking distance of Middleton, Roundhay and Temple Newsam parks, as well as a stop at the White Rose Shopping Centre.

It follows the launch of the “Bradford Superloop” 601/602 services, in partnership with TLC Buses, which follows a similar circular path around suburban areas of Bradford.

Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin said:

“First Bradford, now Leeds! We are working with operators in our region to make sure our communities are served by excellent suburban bus services.

“I am determined to create a better-connected region, but that can only be done through work like this to help boost vital bus services to link our communities.

“Along with our £2 Mayor’s Fares, this ‘Leeds superloop’ service will open up shopping and leisure destinations to more people across the outskirts of the city.”

The service is part-funded by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s Bus Service Improvement Plan, in partnership with Leeds-based operator SquarePeg.

The new Leeds circular route is one of a range of BSIP improvements, seeing the West Yorkshire Combined Authority work in partnership with bus operators.

The previously discontinued 48 bus from Leeds to Wigton Moor will be reintroduced on a limited service, while the 62 service to East End Park/Cross Green will see further evening and Sunday services.

The Combined Authority is funding enhancements to the 164 to create an hourly service between Leeds, Micklefield and Sherburn Industrial Estate.

We are also funding improvements to double the frequency of the following services to every 30 minutes (instead of hourly).

• 140/141: Pontefract - Leeds via J32
• 163: Leeds - Caslefield
• 156: Castlefield - Ferry Fryston
• 135/136: Pontefract - Chequerfield

Deputy Chair of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s Transport Committee Cllr Peter Carlill said:

“Services like these are vital in making sure communities around our region can enjoy safe, reliable buses.

“In addition to the circular service, it is great to see communities in north Leeds enjoying better daytime links into the city centre with the return of the 48 service, and for bus users in the east of the city centre to have access to more evening services on the 62.

“While we have long-term aims for our bus network, this shows we are also committed to making immediate improvements to the network to help create a better-connected region.”

Councillor Jonathan Pryor, Leeds City Council's Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Economy, Transport and Sustainable Development, said: 

"We greatly welcome the return of this service, which will provide much-improved public transport connectivity between our towns and communities.

"Offering a circular bus route service means passengers can often travel more quickly to their destination without the inconvenience of having to travel into the city and change buses, and is a great alternative to making the same journeys by car."

For more information on times, visit https://www.wymetro.com/buses/timetables/