Mayor launches new Bradford circular bus service

22 May 2024

The ‘Bradford Superloop’ service will connect communities around the city with its major hospitals, parks and shopping areas. 

The West Yorkshire Combined Authority, working with Bradford-based operator TLC, is funding the new 601/602 route through its Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) as part of the Mayor’s mission to build a better-connected region.

An orbital service used to operate around the city more than ten years ago but was axed by a private operator

Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin said:

"We know it’s been a difficult time for passengers in Bradford with the closure of the Interchange bus station and the roadworks linked to investment in the city centre.

“But we’re determined to boost West Yorkshire’s bus services to create a better-connected region.

“Along with our £2 Mayor’s Fares, this service will make it easier for people to get to and from hospital appointments.”

The circular service will connect areas such as Idle, Undercliffe, Laisterdyke and Dudley Hill to both Bradford Royal Infirmary and St Luke’s Hospital.

The route also takes in shopping and leisure hotspots such as Lister Park, Five Lane Ends retail park and Morrisons Mayo Avenue, while incorporating the current 629 route, connecting Shipley, Heaton and Great Horton.

Commercial Manager of TLC buses Sophie Lambert said:

“TLC is delighted to be working with West Yorkshire Combined Authority to introduce the new 601/602 service.

“As a small operator we pride ourselves on our local roots, that is why we cannot wait to serve even more communities around Bradford.

“We look forward to welcoming all our new and existing passengers onboard.”

The news follows the announcement in March that the Mayor has chosen to eventually bring West Yorkshire’s buses under local control through a process known as franchising.

In the meantime, the Combined Authority is committed to delivering bus services through BSIP.

The BSIP has seen the introduction of the £2 Mayor’s Fares, increased frequencies on key routes, investment in bus stations and shelters and new bus services launching across West Yorkshire.

The Combined Authority has also helped to train some of the bus drivers using the new 601/602 services, through its bus driver training programme.

Bradford Council’s executive member for regeneration, planning and transport Cllr Alex Ross Shaw said:

“This is very welcome news for our residents. We’re ambitious to see our district better-connected and a brand new service will make it easier for people to get around the district – whether that’s to work, visiting friends or enjoying a day or evening out.

“It’s also very useful for those people who need to access health services at St Luke’s Hospital and Bradford Royal Infirmary.”

Notes to editors

The services were introduced on Monday, May 20, and will run hourly in each direction.

Anticlockwise journeys will be numbered 601. Clockwise journeys will be numbered 602.

The route travels from Shipley via Heaton, Bradford Royal Infirmary, Lidget Green, St Luke’s Hospital, Morrisons Mayo Avenue, Holme Wood Five Lane Ends Morrisons and Wrose, before heading back to Shipley