Combined Authority moves to save bus services facing cuts

First Bus has notified the Traffic Commissioner that they were taking the commercial decision to cancel its 615, 616, 619 and 633 bus services in Bradford from this May.

The Combined Authority will work to complete a tender exercise for replacement services, maintaining the bus network at March 2024 levels

Since July 2023, it has stepped in to save 31 services across West Yorkshire following private operator cuts.

Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin said: “These cuts are symptomatic of the failed deregulated bus market and another example of why we need to bring services under public control.

“We will continue to do what we can to step in and save vital bus services, while the private operators get to keep all the money from the more profitable routes.

“As we move into franchising, we will be able to take oversight of all bus routes and make sure people are better served. This cannot come soon enough.”

The Combined Authority is planning to complete the retendering process before May 2026, so there is no gap in service.

Plans are underway for a fully-franchised, publicly-controlled bus service to be introduced in West Yorkshire from 2027 and 2028.