Bus strategy

Following a series of public consultations as well as consideration by the Combined Authority and West Yorkshire Combined Authority Transport Committee and Bus Operators, the West Yorkshire Bus Strategy was formally adopted on 3 August 2017. The West Yorkshire Bus Strategy forms a key component of the Transport Strategy and Strategic Economic Plan and will be used in shaping and delivering change to the bus system

You can read the West Yorkshire Combined Authority Transport Committee report recommending that the Bus Strategy be adopted by the Combined Authority.

You can read the development review of the strategy and the consultation process that was undertaken to reach the final version.

• Bus Strategy Summary (pdf)
• Bus Strategy Technical Report (pdf)
• Appendix A - Phase 0 Engagement (pdf)
• Appendix B - Achievements, Roles and Responsibilities (pdf)
• Appendix C - Evidence of West Yorkshire Trends (pdf)
• Appendix D - Customer Focussed Issues Evidence (pdf
• Appendix E - Evidence of Measures Delivering Patronage Growth (pdf)
• Appendix F - Addressable and future demand study (pdf)
• Appendix G - Phase 1 Consultation Document (pdf)
• Appendix H - Phase 1 Consultation Findings Report (pdf)
• Appendix I - Phase 1 You Said We Did (pdf)
• Appendix J - Buses 2018 Short Term Initiatives (pdf)
• Appendix K - Phase 2a Consultation Report (pdf)
• Appendix L - February 2017 WYCA Transport Committee Bus Strategy Report (pdf)
• Appendix M - Phase 2b Consultation Report (pdf)
• Appendix N - WY Stated Preference Research Final Report (pdf)
• Appendix O - Illustrative Application of Stated Preference Research (pdf)

The Combined Authority is committed to working closely with District Authorities, bus operators, stakeholders and the public to help shape and deliver improvements to the bus system. The development of the West Yorkshire Bus Strategy has been informed by local and national policies and also through support from District Authorities, Bus Operators, local businesses and other key stakeholders. 

This adopted version of the West Yorkshire Bus Strategy follows the following consultation phases:

• Phase 0 consultation took place in September 2015. The conclusions of this initial scoping stage of the Bus Strategy are included in Appendix A
• Phase 1 consultation took place in October/November 2015 on the draft vision and principles. This consultation was predominantly with District Authorities, Bus Operators, the Business Community and a number of members of the public also commented. The conclusions of the phase 1 consultation are included in Appendix H. A note outlining how the comments received at this stage have been incorporated in the Bus Strategy is provided in Appendix I.
• Phase 2a was a full public and stakeholder consultation took place from 18 July 2016 and ran until 21 October 2016. The consultation on the Bus Strategy took place together with the wider West Yorkshire Transport Strategy. A full report around the conclusions of the consultation are provided in Appendix K and was reported to WYCA Transport Committee in February 2017.
• Phase 2b: Reflecting on feedback received in Phase 2a and the recommendations from Transport Committee, Phase 2b was a supplementary consultation focusing on Accessibility which took place from  28 March to 1 May. A full report around the consultation and its conclusions are included in Appendix M.

After each consultation phase, the results were analysed and full consideration was given to the views expressed. Each phase of consultation has informed the development of this adopted version of the West Yorkshire Bus Strategy.

The 2010 Equality Act and Public Sector Equality Duty place a duty on all public bodies to play their part in making society fairer by tackling discrimination and providing equality of opportunity for all.

To meet this duty, the Combined Authority needs to consider all individuals when carrying out our day to day business, when shaping policy, in developing and delivering services and in relation to our own employees. It also requires public bodies to:

• Have due regard to the need to eliminate unlawful discrimination
• Promote equality of opportunity
• Promote good relations between different groups of people

The Combined Authority uses an equality screening and impact assessment approach to help us consider the effect of our policies and practices on different people. The West Yorkshire Bus Strategy is a high level document which sets out key policies and has a 20 year planning horizon. The Strategy has been equality screened and actual actions / initiatives that are developed as a result of the strategy will be assessed for equality impact in line with the Combined authority's Equality Impact Assessment policy.

The ZEBRA scheme supports the introduction of the 4,000 zero-emission buses announced by the Prime Minister in February 2020 (Major boost for bus services as PM outlines new vision for local transport - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)).

Our bid for funding would enable the delivery of an additional 121 zero emission electric buses for routes across West Yorkshire. Currently 1% of the buses operating in West Yorkshire are zero emission (with 3% of vehicles being hybrid). This investment would increase the proportion of zero emission buses across the region to 10%.

Our bid has been developed with the three main West Yorkshire bus operators – First, Arriva and Transdev. If successful, we will be asked to develop our proposals in further detail, for submission to Government in January 2022.

Redacted bid document.

For further information please contact us by:

• Email:  metroline@westyorks-ca.gov.uk 
• Post:  Freepost CONSULTATION TEAM (WYCA)
• Phone:  MetroLine 0113 245 7676